BREAKING: Korn Ferry Tour Player Punches Opponent, is Subsequently Arrested

Naturally, tensions run high during Monday qualifiers, and the Korn Ferry Tour is no exception. Monday, as qualifying took place for the Wichita Open at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas, a fight broke out, that ultimately led to the arrest of one of the players.

The news of the fight was first reported on by Ryan French (@acaseofthegolf1 on Twitter).

Full story from a source:

Player A who had been slow hits it left into trouble. Player B and Players B dad don’t help him look. At green Player A says “you could have helped look” Player B dad says “you could hit it straight”

And it was on. (Quotes not exact)

— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) June 14, 2021

According to reports, Austen Dailey, who was paired up with Luke Smith, was not very happy that Smith and his caddie (who happens to be his father), decided not to help him look for his ball after a wayward tee shot on the par-3 7th. Dailey confronted the duo and mentioned that if they would help him look for lost balls, that their round would go much quicker. The Smiths, who took exception to the demand from Dailey, started to call him out for his own play. Then, as Dailey started to walk away, Luke Smith reportedly went at him and started punching him. As the fight continued, Smith’s father even began to use his putter to keep others from putting an end to the fight.

Finally, a call to the pro shop by another group put an end to the fight. Smith was subsequently arrested, as Dailey decided to press charges.

Derek Fribbs, the third in their group was able to finish the round by himself, as he was not involved in the incident.

The Korn Ferry Tour did not have much to say on the incident.

“The Korn Ferry Tour is aware of the incident that occurred at today’s qualifier in Newton, Kansas. The individuals involved are not current Korn Ferry Tour members. We are in the process of gathering more details and have no further comment at this time,” they said in a statement to Golfweek.

Cover Image via Instagram