Bubba’s new, high-profile caddie (kidding), a trip to Katz’s Deli, a round with Tiger and more
By T.J. Auclair · August 12, 2019
Patrick Reed was outstanding in The Northern Trust — the first leg of the PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedExCup — picking up a one-stroke victory at 16-under par over Abraham Ancer.
It was Reed’s seventh career PGA Tour victory and his first since the 2018 Masters.
It also happened to be the second time — the first was in 2016 — that Reed was able to capture the first tournament of the playoffs. Shortly after the win, Reed’s caddie and brother-in-law, Kessler Karain, posted a photo of what every caddie wants to take home on Sunday evening: the 18th hole pin flag:
And, of course, a picture of the champs…
Bubba Watson’s playoff run came to a close at The Northern Trust, where he missed the cut… but not before caddie Ted Scott was able to orchestrate this beauty of a video with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan…
As many of you likely know, Aaron Flener — caddie for J.T. Poston, winner of last week’s Wyndham Championship — was VERY much looking forward to the start of The Northern Trust. And it wasn’t just because his guy was in the playoffs, but also because they would be paired with Tiger Woods for the first two rounds (that, obviously, was cut short when Woods withdrew on Friday).
I’m having a little trouble breathing right now. pic.twitter.com/SMOLGetxih
— Aaron Flener (@AaronFlener) August 5, 2019
Luckily for Flener, a friend was out at the course and snapped this shot:
Flener’s buddy, Geno Bonnalie (caddie for Joel Dahmen), reminisced about the time last summer when he was in a group that included Tiger:
I still haven’t washed my hand https://t.co/LMpkpUOcYZ pic.twitter.com/gl82E7L9vO
— Geno Bonnalie (@GenoBonnalie) August 6, 2019
With Liberty National’s proximity to New York City, it was no surprise that caddies were feasting on some good grub. Take, for example, Michael Thompson’s looper Damian Lopez, who was sure to hit up the famous Katz’s Delicatessen…
Anyone else hungry?
Thompson unfortunately missed the cut, so Lopez made an early trip home to Midland, Texas, to get in some golf with the family. Gotta admit — we love that lid!
Caddie Crunchy Pete also made some time for some NYC sight-seeing:
Looks like the bull is showin up to munch on some grass and watch the birdies tomorrow:) pic.twitter.com/cWGiFLqeHV
— Crunchy Pete (@CrunchManPete) August 9, 2019
With the playoffs having started, it can be a tough part of the year for some caddies. Sometimes, for players who haven’t made the playoffs, it means it’s time to make changes. Usually those changes begin with the caddie.
That was the case this week for loopers Kip Henley and Taylor Ford.
Henley, who spent the last few seasons with Austin Cook and even guided him to victory in the 2017 RSM Classic, announced his departure on Twitter.
Welp the call came this afternoon that most caddies get from time to time. Cookie and I had a rough year and he’s going with a new guy this fall. No hard feelings on my end. It’s part of the biz. I only wish I could have done more to help. ✌️
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 7, 2019
It’s ok ! The caddie racket can be a tough one. Cookie didn’t lose his card. This was his 2nd season and he won in his first year. He’s fully exempt this coming season. I will always wish him and his next looper good stuff. It won’t hurt me if they do well. https://t.co/GPikYAqdDq
— Kip Henley PGA loopr (@KipHenley) August 7, 2019
Ford, meanwhile, was let go after three seasons with 2009 Open Champion Stewart Cink. He and Henley both spoke exclusively to The Caddie Network with classy words for their former employers:
After being let go this week, caddies @KipHenley and Taylor Ford (@_TFORD) are grateful for what was and look forward to what's to come. In the words of Henley: "Caddies are like underwear. Something bad happens, you change them." https://t.co/q2lHksdy5L
— Caddie Network (@CaddieNetwork) August 8, 2019
Lastly, we asked our Twitter followers to share with us the one thing they would change in golf if they could. Check out the story to see a collection of the great feedback we received:
We asked: if you could change one thing in golf, what would it be? You sent in TONS of suggestions. Here's a compilation of the best. https://t.co/Cu5edSyGwU
— Caddie Network (@CaddieNetwork) August 9, 2019
