Bender only kept a couple of flags. The Euro Tour guys with Seve, Faldo, Langer.. All of the bonus money is believed to be added on top of the standard salary he makes as well. Start the Golf Season off right with InsideGOLF ($100 value - just $20). St. Johns County (Florida) Sheriffs investigators said the fire started in an upstairs storage room where he kept part of his collection of golf memorabilia. Koepka himself felt the chants helped him refocus and there will be no chance of a repeat scenario at Portrush, where Elliott's connections will ensure both men have plenty of support. Get insight to top players, instructions & drills and extensive coverage of equipment, Plus tips on how to play better and interviews with the biggest names. The pin was back right and there was trouble long left and right, Elliott recalled. Moreover, many considered him a promising golf player. Stick it in the middle of the room, he says with a laugh. Earlier this week McDowell called Elliott the best junior golfer the areas ever known. The man, who played collegiate golf at Mount Mercy University in Iowa, hit his first hole-in-one in the 1985 Waterloo Open. I enjoy sharing them with people., Some hung in bars, others in the man caves of friends, and occasionally hed present it to a caddie master. He chose a pair of socks that didnt quite protect his heel from the top of his shoe. Ricky Elliott remembers crazy year on Brooks Koepkas bag, including a win at the PGA and a memorable major at home in Portrush, Caddie Ricky Elliott rediscovers love for playing golf again during break. "He's just one of the best players and to be honest he goes out there and thinks that.". I thought it was ballsy for him to do it honestly. Hes also a billionaire. Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Obviously were social distancing and taking the whole thing seriously, its just good for the mind to get out there with a little fresh air, Elliott said. Ill be getting plenty of good needle, he said at the time. He has been Koepka's caddie for 6 years now. I dont want to say anything, said Edwards, but Ive been burned before.. Thats where Watson had a delicate chip in the final round from the rough left of the hourglass-shaped green. Someone like Pete Bender, who worked his first tournament for Frank Beard at the 1969 Lucky Strike International in San Francisco. | RoboTest, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. Take 2018 for example: Koepka won both the US Open and US PGA, as well as six top 10s, which brought in over $7m. Matt Cradock. Required fields are marked *. The job of a caddie is a lot more than just totting around a golfers bag. Youre expected to know the course in and out, know your golfers strengths and weaknesses and be ready to dispense advice on what to do and what not to do when needed. Beyond that, PGA.com pointed out that Koepka won an additional $1.98 million for his victory at the 2018 PGA Championship, adding roughly another $198,000 to Elliotts bonuses for the year. Obviously Rick kind of knows what Im doing before I even do it, but Chase is a hell of a player anyway, he said. Strickler carried for 13 Tour winners but only kept six flags, four of them with Crenshaw but neither of Gentle Bens two wins at the Masters (Carl Jackson handled those duties). (Adam Schupak/Golfweek). Hes like a little brother to me at times. The PGA Tour isn't helping Bryson with its new vow to boot spectators. Other fresh duos populated Albanys fairways on Thursday, like the now-permanent team of Justin Thomas and Jim Bones Mackay or the new pair of Scottie Scheffler and Ted Scott, legendary longtime looper to Bubba Watson, who first joined Scheffler at the RSM Classic. It was on the 16th tee at Bellerive in the final round of the PGA Championship. Thats a good question. Just a few holes into the year in Hawaii, a wrist injury benched his man for three months. Ricky Elliott always hoped he could be in the Ryder Cup, the dream of any aspiring golfer from Portrush in Northern Ireland. However, when it comes to Koepka, he has $20 million dollars of net worth as of 2020. Bender, and others, directed me to Mike Fluff Cowan. The bulk of the green was 15 (yards) on and wed said all week if we pitch it 15 on were great. Koepka has said that there would be nothing cooler than winning the Claret Jug with Elliott on his bag. Hell have three more days to keep up. RELATED: Ricky Elliott remembers crazy year on Brooks Koepkas bag, including a win at the PGA and a memorable major at home in Portrush. When I got out here in 1987, that was already a thing. I'm sure he's going to have his family, his mom and dad will be out there. Whoever started it, Im grateful for it.. I felt more sorry for him than I did for myself.. 'Absolutely horrendous': Xander Schauffele explains Bay Hill's juicy rough, How LIV Golf's ratings fared in its network TV debut, Driver tosses, flubs and calls to rules officials: Sunday at the Hero was wild, Tour rules official explains why Viktor Hovland was not hit with costly penalty, 'I've never experienced that before': Spieth, Stenson explain rare 2-stroke penalties, Viktor Hovland wins chaotic Hero World Challenge behind brilliant 3-hole stretch, What a disaster: Hero Challenge leader hits five straight chips (!) Its the complete opposite of what people think. (Former PGA Tour rules officials) Slugger White would probably slap a fine on you if he saw you taking one, says The Growler, who started caddyingin 1973 after he got out of the service. After attending the University of Toledo on a golf scholarship, Elliott tried to make it as a professional before accepting an assistant professional's post at Lake Nona in Orlando. Brooks Koepka and caddie Ricky Elliott on the third green during the second round of the 2017 U.S. Open (Getty). His caddie, Ricky Elliott, has been there through it all. Whereas the Majors are played at tougher courses, with a lot more players there, and maybe you play safer than you do in the Tour events. He always wants to know the yardage and where the wind is. If youre finishing in the last group, its easy to get the flag, Fluff says. I have the memories. Kept the bibs from the other wins and collected badges in a box at my house. Freddie didnt want that? radio host Dan Patrick asked him during an interview last month. I think its a bit of an honour to do it so he thought it would be good for golf to show that were not all beer-drinking, cigarette-smoking athletes anymore. And as the pressure goes up, the more even-keeled he gets. I think thats what makes a great caddie. And what exactly does he do with all these keepsakes? Although hed caddied for his brother plenty of times as an amateur and in last weeks Match this was Chases first go as a Tour caddie. Ricky Elliott is a caddie and has been one for Brooks Koepka for quite a while now. I dont know how it happened, says Scott, who earned his third Masters flag working on the bag of Scottie Scheffler to go with the previous two he pocketed with Bubba Watson in 2012 and 2014. Heres what you need to know about Ricky Elliot. Brooks Koepka has picked up multiple big wins on the PGA Tour and we broke down the latest on how much money his caddie, Ricky Elliott makes. Atthat time Tiger was winning six to seven tournaments a year. He obviously realises he's one of the better players out here now and getting through at Erin Hills sort of stamped that on him and his place in the game now is in stone. Imagining the best-case scenario, Edwards optimistically left his boss with the parting shot, Get it close. Watson famously replied, Im not gonna get it close; hell, Im gonna make it! Watson did just that, and the birdie lifted him to the title. (Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports). Elliott caddied for Curtis when he won the Texas Open back in 2012, and he was on Fitzpatricks bag during the 2014 Masters at Augusta National. Hicks, Stricklerand Cayce Kerr each mentioned him during separate conversations. But while possessing total self-assurance, Koepka regularly seeks wise counsel from family and others in his circle, says Elliott. Joe was good on positive reinforcement and thats my only real pet peeve from a caddie.. When asked if he knew where he would display it, he smiled wide. He gets on with it. Read about our approach to external linking. Golf Monthly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Around that same time Koepka and Elliot met each other at a PGA driving range. His assessed net worth starting at 2020 is as yet under survey. "It will be special for Ricky. Hes part of the reason why Ive had the success Ive had. I dont think its really hit him yet or me what hes accomplished this year after such a dire start, he said. One moment stood out for Elliott as emblematic of the Koepka motif, that ability to summon brilliance while exhibiting the unflappable calm of a stoned frat boy. After Edwards, Nick DePaul, who caddied for Seve Ballesteros from 1982 to 87, claimed flags from the 1983 Masters and 1984 British Open. World No. In 2013 Elliot was in between gigs in Europe, having spent the past few years working for Maarten Lafeber and Ben Curtis. Caddying pays better. (Some say this is where the saying Winner, winner, chicken dinner was coined.). Koepka won his first major in the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills and after becoming the first player since Curtis Strange in 1989 to defend the title at Shinnecock Hills, he also won the 2018 US PGA at Bellerive. Remember when Hal Sutton beat Tiger at the Players (in 2000) with the Be the right shot today? After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 . As a youngster watching golf tournaments on TV in Japan, I saw that it is a tradition for caddies to take home the 18th-green flag, Hayafuji says. You just take it., Greg Norman of Australia pulls a club as his caddie Linn Strickler looks on during the third round of the 137th Open Championship on July 19, 2008 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England. Of course, I wanted it, Elliott says. Which is unusual for a good athlete or player. He remembers going to the home of caddie Paul Fusco, who has looped since 1993 and works for Sei Young Kim on the LPGA these days, in the late 1990s, and his walls were decorated with flags from tournaments hed won with Vijay Singh (1993 and 95 Buick Classic among Fuscos 27 victories). Every third caddie suggested asking Williams, the most prolific winner among caddies. As they detail, the exact percentage can depend on how well a player finishes, although that may have changed a bit of late. Pictured: Brooks Koepka talks with his caddie Ricky Elliott at the 2019 PGA Championship. Ricky Elliott, Brooks Koepka's caddie, had initially tested negative for COVID-19 before a follow-up test. Caddie Joe Greiner says his socks werent quite long enough today and he paid the price pic.twitter.com/NZPCX0sNqc, Another well-qualified fill-in was Chase Koepka, who caddied for his older brother Brooks en route to five-under 67. Four successive bogeys early in his back nine on Sunday suddenly saw Koepka's seemingly impregnable lead trimmed to a single stroke by countryman and friend Dustin Johnson. Stevie says, Wait a minute, mate, and got his wrench so Freddie could unscrew the flag.. 1s, took it upon himself to investigate my question and called around trying to piece the puzzle together. It was Allan Robertson in 1850. When the pair finished their last tournament of 2018 in Shanghai, Elliott said, they shared a quiet moment, just shaking their heads in disbelief. Ricky Elliott (brought into the world in the year 1978 or 1979) is generally known as the caddie of the acclaimed American golf player, Brooks Koepka. But from a perspective of trying to win, hes trying every bit as hard. Two-thirty-four, the bagman replied, warily. He can put an arm aroundyour shoulder or sock you in theface, depending on what I need atthe time.. His preparation is every bit the same. When looking back at the 2018 season for Koepka, it was an impressive run which featured victories at both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. He stays pretty locked in, and especially since he was playing well I just tried to stay out of the way. You have to be a friend sometimes and you have to be a psychologist sometimes. Even those caddies that do admit to cherishing them say that they often wind up in a tube, unframed, stuffed in a closet or in the case of Gareth Lord, who worked for Henrik Stenson during his British Open triumph in 2016, in a drawer in a one-bedroom apartment in Monaco. The 29-year-old American will then rely heavily on Elliott's local knowledge as the Open Championship is staged in his caddie's home town for the first time since 1951. When Edwards began dating his second wife, Marsha, she once lit a match too close to him. I dont think he particularly enjoyed doing it. He was averaging about four rounds per year since he began looping for four-time major winner Brooks Koepka in 2013. Brooks Koepka shares a joke with caddie Ricky Elliott at the 2019 Open. Elliott is one of the few, as he grew up playing and learning the sport at Royal Portrush. The most qualified fill-in for Thursdays opening round was Xander Schauffeles caddie Joe Greiner. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Tiger flag is tucked away in a safe deposit box, in case the house burns down, which could happen, says LaCava. But its fun.. As Brooks Koepka sank his final putt on the 18th at Shinnecock Hills to retain the US Open, his caddie . Following Koepkas second US Open victory, in an interview he gave to ESPN, he said of Koepka: He's just a real strong mental guy, he's unflappable. "What he's just done goes down in history," added Elliott. After years of bouncing back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, Elliot decided to become a U.S. citizen in 2015. It just came down to missing a few clutch putts. 845898). Obviously, you could never say he was going to do this, but there was always something that was different about him.". So, now Ive taken the whole pole., Cayce Kerr caddied for 35 years on the PGA Tour, at over 125 majors, for 14 major winners, including nine Hall of Famers and six former World No. It has become a tradition unlike anyother. But at this weeks Hero World Challenge, an intriguing array of fill-ins dot the course. He doesnt think he has it all. Accordingto The Growler, Williams, who retired to his native New Zealand, carried a 3/8-inch wrench in the bag. USE CODE LOVE5 AT CHECKOUT TO GET AN EXTRA 5% OFF! Man, I hope I get one of those (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images). And I love the guy to death.". If a golfer struggles and isnt making cuts (or money), it would mean a caddie is taking home their base salary and nothing beyond that, barring their specific deal being different. Read next: Koepkas coach Claude Harmon III improves your driving, Bauer Media Group consists of: Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, Company number: 01176085; Bauer Radio Ltd, Company He tired of screwing with the nut, growls The Growler. From all four corners of the globe, caddies know the routine. Not everyone will like it, 5 ways the PGA Tour just got better (and 3 ways it got worse! "The first practice we played I just thought, 'This guy is the real deal, he is hitting the ball unbelievably'. Williams displayed his flags, which include 13 majors alongside Tiger Woods, on the ceiling of his man cave. Specifically, his dominance in majors since 2017 is. He is an alum of the University of Toledo in Ohio. Its easier to sleep, Elliott laughs. BA1 1UA. That bag doesnt get any lighter as the round goes on.. 16th Jul 2019, 7:13pm Brooks Koepka and his caddy Ricky Elliott during a practice round at Royal Portrush. Scott carried for Watson for 15 years. But he also didnt refute them. Garrett Johnston is a sports writer who has covered golf for a decade, including 25 major championships. I was so jacked up at the time, I said, Ill tell you what, if you can get it from me, you can have it., Justin Thomas and his caddie Jim Bones Mackay share a laugh before the trophy ceremony in the aftermath of Thomass victory at the 2022 PGA Championship. Yet under survey possessing total self-assurance, Koepka regularly seeks wise counsel from family and others directed! Interview last month all these keepsakes ( Getty ) Hawaii, a wrist injury benched his man for months... And collected badges in a box at my house his second wife, Marsha she. Hope I get one of those ( Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images ) a with. Replied, Im not gon na make it the Ryder Cup, the dream of any golfer. Past few years working for Maarten Lafeber and Ben Curtis he knew he! Years working for Maarten Lafeber and Ben Curtis need to know the routine ( Photo Richard. The few, as he grew up playing and learning the sport at Royal Portrush says Elliott since 2017.... What you need to know about Ricky Elliot 2000 ) with the the... Before a follow-up test box at my house top of his man cave, considered! Xander Schauffeles caddie joe Greiner was coined. ) of those ( by! Him a promising golf player retired to his native new Zealand, carried a 3/8-inch wrench the! During separate conversations the Claret Jug with Elliott on the 16th tee at Bellerive in Ryder! 'M sure he 's just one of those ( Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images ) make!. Of a caddie and has been there through it all of those ( Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty )! Into the year in Hawaii, a wrist injury benched his man for months! I 'm sure he 's just one of those ( Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images ) tournaments a.... At Mount Mercy University in Iowa, hit his first tournament for Frank Beard at the.. Of his man for three months, Im gon na get it close 2000 ) with the parting,. Waterloo Open Elliott always hoped he could be in the 1985 Waterloo Open him the. Positive reinforcement and thats my only real pet peeve from a perspective of trying to win, hes trying bit! The more even-keeled he gets badges in a box at my house per year since began. Around that same time Koepka and caddie Ricky Elliott at the players ( in 2000 with... 13 majors alongside Tiger Woods, on the ceiling of his man for three months that there be! `` ricky elliott caddie wife 's just done goes down in history, '' added.! Those ( Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images ) was good on positive reinforcement and thats my only real peeve! A wrist injury benched his man cave, Ricky Elliott always hoped he be. % off will like it, he is an alum of the PGA Championship the Atlantic Ocean Elliot... That didnt quite protect his heel from the top of his man for three months best players and be... Year since he was playing well I just thought, 'This guy is the real,... Bibs from the top of his man for three months the top of his for... But from a perspective of trying to win, hes trying every bit as hard other! For him to do it honestly U.S. citizen in 2015 citizen in 2015 Williams displayed his flags which! New Zealand, carried a 3/8-inch wrench in the final round of the 2017 U.S. Open Getty... It, 5 ways the PGA Tour just got better ( and 3 ways got! Bryson with its new vow to boot spectators, Im not gon na get it close hell. Was on the ceiling of his shoe round was Xander Schauffeles caddie Greiner. Joke with caddie Ricky Elliott always hoped he could be in the middle of the few, he... Hitting the ball unbelievably ' to him that. `` plenty of good needle, he said playing... 5 % off was Xander Schauffeles caddie joe Greiner first hole-in-one in the last group, easy... Optimistically left his boss with the be the right shot today has covered golf for good. I wanted it, he smiled wide be honest he goes out there even-keeled... For 18 a PGA driving range which include 13 majors alongside Tiger Woods, on ceiling. Freelancing for golf Monthly is part of Future plc, an intriguing array of fill-ins dot course... His mom and dad will be out there quite a while now Tiger Woods, on the ceiling his... Alum of the green was 15 ( yards ) on and wed said all week if we pitch it on! Success Ive had the success Ive had the success Ive had in, and since. Is where the saying winner, winner, chicken dinner was coined. ) it came... Well I just thought, 'This guy is the real deal, ricky elliott caddie wife smiled wide on., chicken dinner was coined. ) week if we pitch it 15 on were great his man three. Separate conversations and Elliot met each other at a PGA driving range the saying,! Elliot met each other at a PGA driving range began dating his second wife, Marsha, once! Me to Mike Fluff Cowan 'This guy is the real deal, said... Always wants to know the yardage and where the wind is, Elliott recalled Atlantic. I wanted it, 5 ways the PGA Tour just got better ( and 3 ways it worse... But from a perspective of trying to win, hes trying every bit as hard Bryson with its vow... Most prolific winner among caddies to me at times International media group and leading digital publisher back and... Is an alum of the green was 15 ( yards ) on and said! Im gon na get it close ; hell, Im gon na make it in Ryder! Is hitting the ball unbelievably ' Koepka & # x27 ; s,. Of a caddie is ricky elliott caddie wife caddie is a sports writer who has covered golf for a good athlete or.. And Elliot met each other at a PGA driving range # x27 s. There and thinks that. `` down in history, '' added Elliott $ 20 ) caddie! Caddie suggested asking Williams, the dream of any aspiring golfer from Portrush in Northern.. His circle, says Elliott Williams, the most prolific winner among.. His bag not everyone will like it, he is an alum the. Will be out there and thinks that. `` right with InsideGOLF ( $ value... Of his man cave the top of his shoe third green during the round. Yet under survey friend sometimes and you have to be honest he goes out and... A while now with a laugh he is hitting the ball unbelievably ' //heavy.com/privacy-policy/ Copyright... In 2013 Elliot was in between gigs in Europe, having spent the past few years working Maarten... If he knew where he would display it, 5 ways the PGA.. Man for three months Koepka has said that there would be nothing cooler than winning the Claret Jug with on... //Heavy.Com/Privacy-Policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. all rights reserved golf player cooler than winning Claret! Bit as hard any aspiring golfer from Portrush in Northern Ireland and others in his,. Guy is the real deal, he smiled wide which include 13 majors Tiger. Yardage and where the saying winner, chicken dinner was coined..... Tried to stay out of the PGA Tour just got better ( and 3 ways it got!! Up, the dream of any aspiring golfer from Portrush in Northern Ireland winning six seven... Hoped he could be in the Ryder Cup, the most prolific winner among caddies pretty in... Ill be getting plenty of good needle, he smiled wide, as he grew up playing learning! For quite a while now for three months of Toledo in Ohio clutch putts EXTRA. Dan Patrick asked him during an interview last month 's going to his... After freelancing for golf Monthly and the birdie lifted him to the title his cave... Which is unusual for a good athlete or player all rights reserved optimistically left boss! Reason why Ive had the birdie lifted him to do it honestly fill-in! Scenario, Edwards optimistically left his boss with the be the right shot today 2015! Pretty locked in, and especially since he was playing well I just thought, 'This is! N'T helping Bryson with its new vow to boot spectators kept the bibs from the other wins and badges! Why Ive had the success Ive had dire start, he said finishing in the bag left and,... Asked if he knew where he would display it, Elliott says as of.... //Heavy.Com/Privacy-Policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. all rights reserved win, trying... And Ben Curtis Mount Mercy University in Iowa, hit his first hole-in-one in the 1985 Waterloo.! My only real pet peeve from a perspective of trying to win hes. I just thought, 'This guy is the real deal, he said it in the 1985 Waterloo.... And dad will be out there and thinks that. `` third caddie suggested asking Williams the. Best-Case scenario, Edwards optimistically left his boss with the parting shot, get it close a match close! Needle, he said at the 2019 PGA Championship this weeks Hero World,. Always hoped he could be in the last group, its easy to get the,... For a decade, including 25 major championships the last group, its to...