Debate over the remaining Ryder Cup spots is heating up, and the season-ending FedEx Cup is rolling on. With the first playoff event done and dusted at the Northern Trust Open, let’s run through some of the most entertaining caddie-related moments from the past week.
A Date With Tiger
Caddie Network contributor Kip Henley had a DAY on Sunday, and good for him. For 14 long years he’s waited, patiently, until it finally came. A date with Tiger Woods.
I have waited 14 long years to see this pop up on my messages ! pic.twitter.com/OppA7P7mZo
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 25, 2018
Kip’s player, Austin Cook, mustered a 2-over 73. Tiger, for his part, shot 1-under 70, and Kip seemed to have a great time along the way. After the round, Kip shared some insights that were both fascinating and downright fun.
Cookie was disappointed he didn’t play any better and I was sad I didn’t help him anymore than I did but today was one of my favorite days walking a golf course in my life.
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 26, 2018
Tiger couldn’t have been a cooler guy to go out with ! He was one of the most respectful competitors I have been paired with. He did his homework because he said on the first tee “looking forward to it Kipper” and gave me a firm shake. He was intense, complimenting and talkative.
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 26, 2018
I cracked him up a couple times. He has a great sense of humor. He never made fun of my Vucket. He ran a crap ton of putts over the edge and his game seems so damn good ! He ain’t done winning championships people, trust me !!
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 26, 2018
Never ! He’s a private guy and you would be as well if you walked a day in his Nike’s. The Bro Code is a sacred thing to me. https://t.co/jO6LGWB4wa
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 26, 2018
Didn’t bother him for nuttin. There will be picture somewhere for my grand kids to see. It was an awesome day. https://t.co/hB0XedjpsZ
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 26, 2018
Joe LaCava was cool as heck to me and never “big dogged” once. Cookie didn’t have his best stuff today and said he was nervous on the 1st Tee yet he blasted a perfect one off it. His awesome putting proved he can play under heat. Cookie will win lots of times. Great day !
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 26, 2018
That’ll be a story to tell the grandkids.
Not Now!
There’s an art to caddying. A balance that involves knowing exactly what to say, and precisely the right time to say it. Max Homa’s caddie got half of that equation right on Friday.
After an impressive opening round 69 on the Web.com Tour’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Homa stumbled to a 2-over 73 on Saturday. Walking down the final hole, Homa’s caddie attempted to lift his player’s spirits that didn’t *quite* hit the mark.
While walking off the 18th tee today, nearing the end of a pretty difficult/breezy day, my caddy said that if golf were easy it wouldn’t be fun. It was a deep and philosophical comment. I wanted to punch him
— max homa (@maxhoma23) August 24, 2018
Sister-Sister
Brooke Henderson is one of my favorite golfers to watch, on any tour. She’s a 20-year-old phenom already with a major to her name, and on Sunday, she added her national open to her resume. It’s the first time a Canadian has won the CP Women’s Open since 1973, and she did it with her sister on the bag. It’s always something that warms my heart a little more than usual.
You see lots of husband-wife, father-son duos, but not many sibling player-caddie duos. At least now we can name Brooke and Brittany alongside the other great sibling caddie-player duos, joining the likes of Austin-Dustin Johnson, and Mark-Davis Love III.
Long Live The King
And finally, a word of warning: If you come at the king, you best not miss. In golf, that means never, ever, EVER doubting the awesome strength of caddie Duane Bock’s truly magnificent calf muscles.
A potential challenger to Bock’s throne emerged over the weekend, and while his calf muscles were respectable — it must be said — they didn’t hold up to further inspection.
Come on, Kip. It’s Duane ALL day! pic.twitter.com/hBJEdWobkU
— The Caddie Network (@CaddieNetwork) August 22, 2018
LONG LIVE DUANE BOCK’S CALVES!