20 Questions with the caddies

How did you start caddying on tour?

When I finished University, I was unemployed for two years. I started caddying for Sandy Steven; he had a tour card. I wanted to get out of Dundee, so I said that I would caddy for him for a while. I prepared for a few tour events, Cannes, Madrid and the Italian Open.

All my accommodation was taken care of, I had bought my Lira’s and Peseta’s and I was determined to make a go of it. The problem was that Sandy did not get into the first two events because he had the 37th card at qualifying school.

I ended up working for Phillip Harris. He must have been happy with me during my first week because he asked me to work for him in Madrid.

How did you start caddying for Monty?

I first discussed working with Monty in Thailand. He had just got rid of a caddy and employed a new one. He gave me his number and said to me if it didn’t work out with his new caddy, would I like to caddy for him.

At the time, I was working with Mark Mouland. He was a great guy to work for, but he wasn’t making any money.

What was your first paycheque worth?

In Cannes, Phillip ended up in 56th place. He earned £850 for his efforts. My wage was £150 basic and 5% of is winnings. £192.50 for my first cheque.

What is the biggest mistake that you have ever made and what were the repercussions?

In the Dutch Open, I added instead of subtracted from a yardage. The 11th hole was a par five. It was not possible to see the green from where we were and I was way out with my estimation, about thirty yards. I got a telling off, but Monty understood that I was not trying to stitch him up. I had a funny feeling that something was wrong, but I didn’t know what it was. Colin ended up hitting a three iron when a six-iron was the club. The ball ended up on the back edge of the green. An inch further and it would have gone down the hill and into a big thorny bush. Fortunately he made a birdie, so I got away with that one.

What is your favourite event/venue?

The Ryder Cup is a great week but it is very hard work for me. Colin plays in every match, so by the end of the day I am exhausted. I think that my favourite event is the PGA at Wentworth. It is well organised, the course is great, the money is the best on the European Tour and Monty usually plays well around there.

Which tour event offers the best social life in the evenings?

Well, I am a bit old for going out in the evenings now! Seriously though, the English events are the best. The America venues such as Miami and New Orleans are too dangerous for going out at night. I feel safer in the UK. It doesn’t matter where in Britain; there is always a good bar somewhere close.

What is your favourite drink?

I like English Bitter. It is much better than the Scottish beers because it is less gassy. I am also fond of a bottle of wine now and then. A good Chianti or a Chateauneuf du Pape.

What is the best thing about being a caddy?

I think I must be the luckiest caddy in the world. I work for a player that makes stacks of money, he’s a funny guy, plays in all the top events with the best players in the world and doesn’t practice much. Working for Monty is the best job on tour. Our daily routine starts with breakfast then a forty-five minute warm up session then play a round. If Colin is not happy with a certain area of his game, he would rather change the offending club than practice getting it right. What a wonderful boss to have.

What is the worst part?

The travel is not as glamorous as you might think and we do work some funny hours. Sometimes when we play 36 holes in one day, I get up early and go to bed late. That can be very tiring.

Also, it is difficult to keep up with your friends at home. We are always on the move around the world and I miss keeping up to date with my mates.

I am one of the fortunate caddies that can afford to take his girlfriend on tour. That helps a great deal.

What is your proudest moment on tour so far?

There have been a few. When Colin won the Order of Merit for the first time, that was cool, winning the Ryder Cup is always special. But the PGA Championship at Riviera is the best in my memory. He played fantastic golf all week and my job was simple because of that. He should have won there, but Elk made a good birdie to beat him.

What is the most important decision that you have ever made on tour?

Giving Colin a phone call after I had finished with Mark Mouland.

On the course, we make the decisions together. If we get it wrong, then we are both wrong. We talk a lot on the course.

Have you ever been sacked?

No.

What type of course do you prefer to caddy on, Parkland, Heathland or a links?

Monty hates links courses. It doesn’t suit his game. There is too much bounce and roll. His game is more suited to the parkland type of course or American venues. I like those because Colin usually plays well on those types of courses.
In tournaments such as the US Open, there are only ten or twelve players in the hunt at the start. Monty likes those odds. At links courses, it could be anyone. His game is set up for tough, narrow courses.

Do you play golf?

I play off three, although I don’t play much now.

How do you feel when Colin takes his frustrations out on you?

For whatever reason he takes it out on me, it is completely forgotten about the next day. To be honest, his reputation is painted darker than it actually is. He doesn’t take it out on me; it’s just that he is mad at himself. That just means that he cares about the game.

If you could caddy for anyone else throughout the history of the game, whom would you choose?

Ernie Els at Congressional! It was a great week for us but I would have loved to be in Ricky’s boots at the end. I was gutted, needless to say, so was Colin.

What is your hobby, other than golf?

I like to watch the football. Whichever Scottish team is playing the best, I tend to support. Raith Rovers are my team and I think that they need as much support as they can get.

When you were on the final holes of the majors and in contention, what have you said to Colin in the past?

I try to keep Colin believing in himself. As I do all the way around the course. I have got to say many things so that Colin thinks about nothing. I work everything out so all Colin has to do is hit the club that I give him. It is that simple.