Billy Foster, a success for and of the caddy, a celebrity on the circuit

the british caddy Billy Foster caught the flag in the green of hole 18 of The Country ClubHe brought it to his face and kissed it. Finally, that flag is yours. After four decades of carrying the bag of great golfers on the circuit, Foster now has his first ‘major’. the success of Matt Fitzpatrick nasa US Open. Sunday also marked a breakthrough for one of the tour’s most popular caddies. Among others, Foster carried the bag of clubs from bad luck Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, Thomas Bjorn -even for Tiger Woods once in the Presidents Cup – but he has never faced the club bag of a ‘big’ champion.

“Usually people have a monkey on their back. I have a gorilla on my back,” Foster said. “I can’t imagine being excited. Just ‘pffffff’. It’s comforting.” Billy will get a good percentage of the winner’s prize. The winning caddies also traditionally flag the 18th green. “I can’t tell you how important it is to Billy. It’s incredible,” Fitzpatrick said. “I know it’s something he’s been looking for and he’s wanted for a long, long, long time. To do it here is amazing.”

Foster came close last month, when Fitzpatrick tied for fifth in the PGA. Some of his other close calls included losing three chances: Westwood to Phil Michaelson at the Masters in 2010, Westwood at Turnberry last year to finish within a tiebreaker stroke in between Tom Watson and Stewart Cinkand Bjorn at Royal St. George’s when he needed three shots to get stuck in a bunker on the 70th hole and defeated Dane in the unknown. ben curtis the 2003 British by a hit.

Foster and Fitzpatrick hooked up shortly after Caddy and Westwood split in 2018. “He tells me for the first time at work, I’ll just do 25 weeks and maybe get a filler for someone else,” Fitzpatrick said. . “I think he’s had two weeks off in four years.” Foster’s work this week – throughout the year, really – doesn’t involve heavy lifting. Fitzpatrick plays golf well. He got 17 greens on Sunday in his one-shot victory over Will Zalatoris.

With a one-shot lead heading into the final hole, Fitzpatrick finally agreed and followed Foster’s advice: he played the 3-wood Foster wanted from the tee and not the driver he wanted, but the ball was land in a bunker on the left. of the fairway and became the most important blow of the tournament. “Why didn’t I say hit the driver?” said Foster, and from there only the left side of the green could be seen by Foster and Fitzpatrick. “He played brilliant golf,” Foster said. After two putts, Fitzpatrick got his par. When Zalatori missed his birdie putt to force the playoffs, Foster kissed the flag. “First of all, it’s a relief,” Foster said. “But tonight and next week, I think I’m going to have a liver like a soccer ball. There’s going to be a big party tonight and all next week,” good old Billy said.