Pro's caddy hit by water bottle at busy LIV Golf event in Australia

In a scene reminiscent of the 16th hole of the WM Phoenix Open, the legendary singer was hit by a water bottle presented by a fan at LIV Golf Adelaide.

Nick Pugh, playing for Australian champion Lucas Herbert, was hit in the back of the head while putting in the flagstick on the 12th hole of Grange's Golf Club, where Herbert had just holed a birdie putt.

The 12th hole at Grange GC is known as the “watering hole,” because of the loud music, enthusiastic fans and plenty of drinks. The setting is similar to the 16th at TPC Scottsdale, with course-style fairways lining the perimeter of the hole.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, more than 30,000 fans attended Saturday's round in Adelaide. Last year, Chase Koepka made headlines when he ran into the 12th and fans erupted, showering the pit with cups and bottles.

But this year, things changed a lot.

Herbert's group was the last to play the 12th on Saturday, and the local fans cheered for his closing birdie, which completed Herbert's round of 7-under 65.

As the celebration continued and the drinks began to fly, all seemed fine – until Pugh turned his back on the crowd to change a pin, and was hit in the back of the head with a bottle.

Pugh dropped to his knees as Herbert looked at him. Fortunately, Herbert later reported that everything was fine.

“He's beautiful and he took it very well. It may have upset him a lot, but he handled it well,” said Herbert, according to the report Herald. “Maybe it's hard to ask someone who has had 15 beers to direct the water bottle away from the person. That's probably asking too much.”

At the 2022 WM Phoenix Open, Sam Ryder's ace on the 16th hole ignited a beer-throwing storm, highlighting the issue of player and caddy safety. The tournament has moved on to serving beer in plastic cups in 2023.

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia's first varsity golf class, Jessica knows how to outrun everyone on the golf course. He can pass them through the office, too, where he is primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF's first Style Issue, which began in February 2018. His first interview series, “A Round With,” released in November 2015, and appeared in both magazine and video form on GOLF.com.