What Was Mark Wahlberg Thinking When Playing With Tiger Woods?

Securing a pro-am spot with Tiger Woods has to be on most amateur golfers’ top bucket list items. And even the most high-toned hacks like actor Mark Wahlberg would attempt to stay in the background while soaking up all that surrounds the cool slot. Right?

Let’s just say Markie Mark is a decidedly different amateur. Paired with Woods in the Genesis Open Pro-am, Wahlberg and his loyal entourage raised eyebrows during the round. Like, would you wear earbuds during your round? Or having your personal chef carve up a fish to snack on? If art imitates life, then Wahlberg is the real-deal version of his hit show Entourage. Heck, maybe that’s how he got the idea…

GolfWeek.com’s Forecaddie reports on Markie Mark’s curious on-course behavior.

His personal chef never was never more than 30 feet from Wahlberg, carrying two coolers the entire way. Inside? One of his client’s eight daily meals at the ready. (Eight!) The nuclear codes drift further away from the president of the United States than Wahlberg’s lunch boxes. Sea bass is Wahlberg’s preference and TMOF can say that watching a chef carving up fish mid-round was certainly a first.

Then there’s Wahlberg playing the entire round with Apple AirPods in his ears. Fans, fellow players and even commissioner Jay Monahan, who stopped by to say hello, asked what he could be listening to while still paying attention to his fans, playing partners and Tiger. 

Golf is always more enjoyable when you park your cell at least until making the turn. And looks better than constantly checking it for messages etc.

The Forecaddie asked Wahlberg’s playing partner, super-friendly CAA partner Rob Light. But even one of the music business’ most powerful figures was not sure. Turns out, after talking to many sources, TMOF learned Wahlberg was not listening to anything. He’s just prepared if his iPhone should ring and a little double tap of the wireless headphones might turn up Jack Nicklaus or Will Ferrell on the line.

Apparently Wahlberg’s regular morning rounds at Riviera are no less zany. He starts on the 10th tee after one of three caddies has greeted him in the parking lot and another looper handles the clubs and raking. A third is there to do sprints with Wahlberg in between shots. These extraordinary bagmen are well compensated for their brief time—two Benjamins at least—to keep Hollywood’s busiest man active.

Stay classy Mark.