A heated caddie debate on Twitter, and a brutally honest review from C.T. Pan
By Luke Kerr-Dineen · August 20, 2018
Happy Monday, to one and to all. Grab a coffee and get seated as we run through some of the most interesting, entertaining and enlightening caddie-related moments over the past week.
TWITTER FIGHT!
A feisty golf twitter argument erupted over the weekend and extended, which is weird, because people so rarely argue with each other on social media.
It all started when Justin Rose’s former coach and current Sky Sports golf analyst, Nick Bradley, shared a tweet that seemed to question golfers who choose not to hire an “expert” caddie.
There are only three types of #PGATour player that don’t want to hire a expert caddy. The first has a problem with authority, the second has low trust and the third doesn’t understand the construct of team. I wonder who I’m thinking of?
— NICKBRADLEY (@THENICKBRADLEY) August 18, 2018
Tommy Fleetwood, who’s been very open about how employing his best friend as his caddie helped lift him out of a slump, immediately took issue with the tweet, as did fellow European Tour player Eddie Pepperell.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaa!!!!! https://t.co/qrVponrxz5
— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) August 18, 2018
How did you come to this conclusion I’m interested? Have you done a personality profile on all players with a ‘non expert’ caddy? https://t.co/qrVponrxz5
— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) August 19, 2018
Your original tweet actually wasn’t really about caddies. It was describing some players who you’ve hardly, if ever, met or had interaction with! https://t.co/zvMfMD4HLI
— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) August 19, 2018
Very balanced. Unlike you saying there are only 3 types of players that would choose what you call a ‘non expert’ . Still interested in how you know everyone so well? A question you’ve avoided twice so far https://t.co/RkHmpCGnPZ
— Tommy Fleetwood (@TommyFleetwood1) August 20, 2018
Have I ever told you about the three types of Tour Coach Nick? There are those who spend tons of time with the player, there are those who use the internet to escort. And there are those who do neither. https://t.co/bYM2MkuL8e
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) August 19, 2018
Despite the bombast of Bradley’s original tweet, I do think the point he’s making is an interesting one. Are golfers who hire a friend playing at a disadvantage against players who opt for more experienced hands?
You could make that argument, but in truth, there is no singular answer. Players look for different things from their caddies; some need deep course management expertise, others need help staying loose; some simply want a caddie who carries their bag. Most want a balance.
A caddie-player duo is more than a team. It’s a relationship. There’s no one template to follow, and in the case of Fleetwood, the results speak for themselves.
Poulter’s first tournament
Speaking of caddie-player relationships, Joshua Poulter seems to have formed a close one with his caddie, Ian. The European Ryder Cup hero took the weekend to caddie for his son during his first tournament and helped him onto a second-place finish. And better yet, they got an adorable picture to show for it.
What an amazing experience.. Caddying for Joshua today in his first tournament is a day I will never forget. These days are priceless. He shot 43 for 9 holes and finished 2nd. Proud dad and special to see him enjoy this great game of golf. ♥️👍🏻⛳️🏌🏻♂️🥈 pic.twitter.com/VlpYbH1Ro3
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) August 18, 2018
RIP C.T. Pan
On the flip side of that coin, let’s all spare a thought for PGA Tour player C.T. Pan, who will be spending the foreseeable future in the dog house.
Pan’s wife, Michelle, caddied for him this week at the Wyndham Championship and helped C.T. onto an impressive T-2 finish. Wait, did I say helped? I meant didn’t help. That’s not my opinion, that’s C.T.’s own brutally honest take on his wife’s performance.
“She didn’t help me much,” he said. “She just needs to show up, keep up and shut up.”
Ouch.
Guessing CT Pan will be apologizing for a while today. @WyndhamChamp pic.twitter.com/jcbYCiITpY
— Bill Speros (@billsperos) August 18, 2018
Pure dedication
And finally, let’s show some love to Thorbjorn Olesen’s caddie, Dominic Bott. With Olesen on the cusp of a Ryder Cup berth, Bott knows that every shot counts, which is why when Thorbjorn’s ball funneled into a rabbit hole, there was only one thing for him to do.
.@Thorbjornolesen gets his caddie @dombott1973 go the extra mile to try to find his ball in a rabbit warren! #NordeaMasters pic.twitter.com/9ej9YPFA4c
— Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) August 16, 2018
Total dedication to his craft. Have to respect it.
