Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement demonstrated his multi-sport talents last week at the inaugural MLB Open golf tournament, finishing seventh but winning over fans with his charismatic performance alongside Blue Jays legend Joe Carter.
Golf Skills and Team Chemistry
The event, which was played last week at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas but aired on November 20, 2025, featured Clement and Carter representing the Blue Jays in a unique golf competition that paired current and former MLB players. The duo showed remarkable chemistry throughout the tournament, creating several viral moments that circulated widely on social media.
Clement and Carter were appropriately paired against Los Angeles Dodgers players Will Smith and Andre Ethier, leading to playful banter between the teams. When interviewed during the round, Clement acknowledged with a laugh that he was quietly seeking some revenge against Smith following their World Series history.
Viral Moments and Celebration Rituals
One of the tournament's most memorable moments came when Carter stepped in to recreate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s role in Clement's signature handshake celebration after the Blue Jays third baseman sank a long putt. The recreation perfectly captured the team's dugout energy on the golf course.
Another highlight occurred on the par-3 17th hole when Clement hit his tee shot to within feet of the pin, prompting Carter to commentate: "Be as good as you look!" The shot demonstrated Clement's impressive golf skills beyond his established baseball abilities.
Tournament Format and Results
The MLB Open featured a three-day format including a pro-am event where MLB players teamed with amateurs, followed by a two-day tournament using a modified Stableford point system. In this unique scoring format, each player competed individually while teams used the best ball, earning points for their score on each hole.
The Minnesota Twins duo of Royce Lewis and Aaron Hicks ultimately won the tournament, with the top three teams earning monetary donations to charities of their choice. Despite finishing seventh, Clement's performance and personality made him one of the event's standout participants.
Clement's appearance at the golf tournament comes fresh off his record-setting MLB postseason where he established a new record with 30 hits during the playoffs. The Rochester, New York native has proven to be a multi-talented athlete, having also been a high school hockey star who scored 70 goals in 79 total games at Brighton High School.
The Blue Jays fan favourite received two Gold Glove nominations this year for his defensive excellence and is considered a strong contender for the MLB Heart and Hustle Award, which recognizes players who demonstrate exceptional passion for baseball.
