A tour caddie’s life is never boring. Paul Drummond can attest to that.
His first event as an official bagman on the DP World circuit — formerly known as the European Tour — resulted in him spending ten days in a quarantine hotel and incurring additional fees of $4,000.
Instead of enjoying three events in South Africa with new boss Norwegian golfer Espen Kofstad, Drummond only got 36 holes in at the ill-fated Joburg Open before the Omicron saga began, resulting in a frantic scramble for flights as chaotic as the Keystone Cops coordinating air traffic control.
“There were caddies who had been out on tour for 35 years and they told me, ‘If you can handle this week, you can handle anything,” the 31-year-old said on the season’s turbulent start. “Some of them claimed it was the worst week of their lives. But it hasn’t deterred me.”
Drummond, a certified accountant who also works in the family business as a car dealer, was propelled into the spotlight earlier this season when he was hired by American golden queen Lexi Thompson for the week of the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, in his own neighborhood.
He’d caddied on his hometown courses before, but navigating someone with Thompson’s global profile through the course’s multiple challenges was a whole different ballgame. However, it piqued his interest in learning more.
“I’ve always wanted to do full-time caddying,” he remarked, “but it’s extremely difficult to get into.” “It all started when a friend of mine, Matthew Southgate, a tour player, told Espen about me.”
“Now was an excellent time for me to try it.” If things go wrong, I have the car sales and financial advice to fall back on. It can be a brutal industry. If the player isn’t obtaining the desired results, the caddie or coach should be changed first. You never know when your next payment may arrive when caddying, but I want to go out and do well. I’d like to work my way up the ladder by caddying for someone in the top 50 and competing in the majors. “At the very least, I’ve gotten my foot in the door.”
‘You’ve got 212 yards to the front edge with the wind coming in from the left,’ Drummond tells a professional golfer, ‘but you’ve got 212 yards to the front edge with the wind coming in from the left,’ which is a little different from praising the fuel efficiency of a neat little hatchback in the forecourt,’ but confidently talking the talk has served Drummond well.
“How you communicate the word, the yardage, or whatever is the main attribute of a caddie,” he remarked. “I’ve had people caddy for me before, and if they’re a little wishy-washy, it doesn’t inspire confidence when you’re standing over the shot.” You must deliver the message authoritatively.”
The approach of men’s world No. 318 Kofstad contrasts sharply with that of women’s world No. 12 Thompson in the vast and varied realm of this extremely unique sport.
Drummond stated, “I did anything for Lexi.” “She doesn’t have a book, so she has to deal with yardages and lines.” So, if she whacked it off the back of the green, it’s possible that I was to blame. Espen is a unique individual. I only check the number he gets from his yardage book with him. He prefers to be in complete control of his game.”
Here in Scotland for the @AIGWomensOpen, we’ve had a fantastic week! I had a great day playing @carnoustiegolf with Paul Drummond on my bag, who has a wealth of local knowledge! This week, thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, and fantastic fans! Not the way I wanted to go out, but I’ll learn from it and improve. pic.twitter.com/zFfZFXSsm5
August 22, 2021 — Lexi Thompson (@Lexi)
While working with Thompson again in the United States was an option — “we got along wonderfully but the time of year was inappropriate and I would’ve had awful difficulty getting a Visa” — Drummond is looking forward to working with Kofstad on the European circuit in the new year.
“It’s a shame that first three events were canceled, but I believe Espen is capable, and I’m hopeful we can get in the mix and get the juices flowing,” he said.
What about the DP World Tour’s requirement for here, there, and everywhere travel? Drummond, on the other hand, is unconcerned. But he’ll just have to adjust to caddie class.
“I used to work at St Andrews University as a financial controller, and I used to fly business class to Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States on a regular basis,” he said.
With a sardonic grin, he said, “As a caddy, I have to turn right on the plane now.”
