After well over a decade working as a caddie at Royal County Down, it’s safe to say I’ve seen just about all there is to see – both good and bad. I’ve previously written about the 4 craziest things I’ve seen whilst looping around one of the best golf courses in the world but one particular incident in September last year, one of my final rounds as a caddie, will live with me forever.
I’ll set the scene – it’s the Tuesday after the 2025 Irish Open. Some 48 hours earlier, Rory McIlroy‘s 15ft eagle putt on 18 slowly slid past the hole to crown Rasmus Hojgaard as the champion. Little did I know, the drama on the 18th would continue even after the pros had jetted off.
Tasked with taking down the likes of grandstands, merch tents and scoreboards, DP World Tour staff were scattered around the course working away while regular players teed it up post-tournament.
The scene on the 18th hole at Royal County Down during the Irish Open
(Image credit: Future)
On that Tuesday I was lucky enough to caddie for Brian (I think that was his name? If it wasn’t and you’re reading, I’m very sorry… Brian?). He, like many of the people I’ve caddied for at RCD, was both lovely and, without sounding disrespectful, out of his depth a little.
Brian was enjoying but losing the battle against the course that day, but there is no shame in that – Royal County Down is a very hard golf course.
As we reached 18, he smashed a drive down the right side of the Par 5 18th fairway, the longest hole on the course.
“Position A, Brian”, I told him as we reached his ball. Then the tactical discussions began.
18 is a hard hole and to go for the green in two is very much risk-reward considering around a dozen bunkers and thick rough line both sides of the fairway upon your approach.
“We’ve got 240 front. You’ve been ripping the 3 wood all day. We should send it Brian….”
It was the perfect time to roll out one of the best caddie cliches:
“You didn’t come all this way to lay up, did you?”
Damn right he didn’t. Off came the headcover. Ladies and gentlemen, we’re going for it.
As mentioned, the infrastructure was still up around Royal County Down – a hospitality tent lined the right side of the hole and a grandstand wrapped around the green.
Two construction workers were banging away at the scoreboard about 150…
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