The final major of the year drew to an exhilarating conclusion, with Brooks Koepka staving off challenges from Adam Scott and of course, Tiger Woods. A brilliant end to a wonderful week, let’s beak it down.
Ricky ‘Moneybags’ Elliot
Ricky Elliott has to be waking up pretty happy this Monday morning. The once aspiring tour pro, who gave up his dreams to becoming an assistant club pro and found his way onto Brooks Koepka’s bag along the way, has now helped his man to three major wins in his last seven starts. He pocketed $216,000 for his role at Erin Hills last year, and will have even more coming his way this year. A tidy and deserved payout for one of the best tandems in golf.
Brooks’ New Bag
And speaking of Ricky, looks like he could be carrying a new bag at some point soon. Earlier in the week one of Brooks’ sponsors, Michelob Ultra, showed off a bag seemingly inspired by Al Czervik in Caddyshack. It’s a functional tour bag with a built-in keg and television. Sure, it’s probably ungodly heavy, BUT IT’S GOT A BUILT-IN KEG AND TELEVISION.
Practice your swing on the front nine, then practice your pour on the back nine. What do you think of the new ULTRA caddie? 🍻🏌🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/Tub6jTZzEn
— Michelob ULTRA (@MichelobULTRA) August 7, 2018
Ted Scott’s Coincidence
Bubba Watson didn’t have the best of week’s at the PGA Championship — his 8-over, 36-hole total meant he missed the cut by a mile — but the early trip home gave way to a funny coincidence for his caddie, Ted Scott. Bedding in for a flight home, it seemed Scott found himself next to a golf fan that spent the day following Bubba’s group. The lesson? The world’s a small place, so always always make sure to ask the people you’re sitting next to on flights if they’re professional caddies.
It’s a little strange when a guy sits next to you at the airport and starts talking on the phone about the group he followed at the @PGAChampionship today. Weird part, it was our group. I’m trying to see it from his view🤔. It’s kinda cool 👍🏼
— ted scott (@jtedscott) August 11, 2018
More Celebrations
My friend and fellow Golf Twitter Warrior, Shane Ryan, took on a pressing issue that I think the golf community needs to address: The lack of signature caddie celebrations. Simply put we need more of them.
If you were a PGA Tour caddie, what would your signature celebration be? ZJ’s caddie does the flapping wings for a birdie. Mine would be screaming like an eagle, long and piercing and high, but I would do it after every shot regardless of situation.
— Shane Ryan (@ShaneRyanHere) August 9, 2018
Come on caddies! Let’s get creative!
RIP Jarrod
And finally, the golf world contested the PGA Championship with a heavy heart this past week as players, caddies, fans and everybody else mourned the loss of Jarrod Lyle. Jarrod was dealt an unfair hand in life, but he handled himself with grace, dignity, and class throughout. He united the golf world with his infectious positivity, and he will always be remembered as a hero. There were too many beautiful words of remembrance to list them all, but Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie, Drew Hinesley, perhaps said it best:
I met him on a golf course, with a huge smile on his face. This is how I’ll remember Jarrod Lyle! A big, friendly, stereotypical Aussie who always had a handshake and a smile at the ready. Gone WAY too soon. Thoughts and prayers with his wife and children. #JarrodLyle pic.twitter.com/g73Ynctxxf
— Drew Hinesley (@DrewHinesley) August 9, 2018
RIP, Jarrod.