The Caddie

Interview by Paul Mahoney

The Barclays MVPs
Christian Donald (yes, he’s Luke’s brother)
Caddie for Paul Casey

What’s your main role?
The legendary rule for caddies on tour has always been ‘Show up, keep up and shut up.’ It’s not like that any more (smiles). There is more to it than that. Caddies play a small part but it’s an important part.

Did you really want to be a tour pro?
No, I was a club pro for nine years in England and wasn’t enjoying it. Then my brother Luke turned pro and I asked if I could caddie for him and he said yes. And I’m still out here but caddying for Paul (Casey) now.

What’s the wage deal?
It’s 10 percent of the prize money for a win, 7½ percent for a top 10 and 5 percent across the board for whatever your player wins each week. If you can get 10 percent across the board you are doing well. But not too many are on that deal. Some guys are on a retainer and some get paid weekly.

It sounds glamorous but what’s it really like?
It’s a lot harder than people think. I get a little bit fed up of all the travelling but I love having three weeks off in a row a few times a year. In a normal job, you might get just three weeks holiday all year.

What sort of person does the job suit?
It’s a single man’s job. Some guys are married but it’s tough on your home life. You need a low maintenance partner at home. Someone with a lot of patience. Someone who has their own life, too, and does their own thing. Or someone that doesn’t want you at home all the time (laughs). But it’s a great lifestyle.

How has it changed over the years?
It used to be quite an amateur profession. Now we are all kitted out with clothes and shoes. I’ve always said the caddies have the most overpaid and underpaid job in the world. Some guys are making huge amounts of money and some are making nothing. But we all do the same job.

Can a caddie make the difference between winning and losing?
I always think our job comes into its own when the pressure is on during the last nine holes of a tournament. When perhaps your player is nervous and not thinking. I remember at Whistling Straits at the PGA Championship, Paul was one under par on the 17th. And he asked for his 4-iron. But I said, 'No, that’s too much club, it’s a 5-iron.' It’s those decisions that can make a big difference. If you can save your player even one shot it can mean making the cut or finishing 5th instead of 17th or even winning. It’s just knowing when to be quiet and let them go, and when to speak up. It’s a fine line.

Any mistakes you’d like to own up to?
I haven’t given Paul a bad yardage yet (smiles). When you help read putts you can’t be 100 percent correct. But the most important thing is to be positive – even if you’re wrong. I’m pretty good at seeing what he wants and adapting. That’s the role of a good caddie.