Reed’s Caddie Describes The Last Few Holes Of Their Masters Win

Yes, a player ultimately hits all the shots, but a good caddie is essential for keeping that player even keeled and focused. This was evident during Patrick Reed’s final round at The Masters. Looper Kessler Karain spoke with ESPN’s Michael Collins and Tiger Woods’ sherpa Joe LaCava on the most nervous part watching his boss through the last pressure-filled holes.

Collins: Best shot you saw all week from Patrick?

LaCava: The 2½-footer on 18. I can answer that one.

Kessler: I think it was about 3 feet. The eagle on 15 yesterday [Saturday] by far was super-clutch. We got a little lucky with covering that water and then he made the most of it.

Collins: What part of the week stressed you out the most?

Kessler: Definitely today coming in … I have to say on 18, just because you know you can’t error at all. It’s not like you walk in with a two-shot lead like we were hoping.

Collins: Did you know where you stood?

Kessler: We knew. We knew because you here Rickie [Fowler] and the roars and I’m like, “Oh great.” And you know that movie line, “Why don’t you die?” That’s exactly what’s going in my head like, “Why?”

Collins: So when you get on the tee, what was that feeling like? Terror or excitement?

Kessler: Well the worst part is that he [Rickie Fowler] makes it and then the crowd sees the [score] go up on the board behind [Patrick] and they go, “Oooooo.” And you’re like, “Thanks, thanks a lot.” But, of course, Patrick is zoned in, he’s like, “I know what I’m doing.” But I’m over here like, “I hate you people right now.”

Kessler: So him and I have probably said five words to each other that weren’t about golf today. Everything was about what we were doing and about the shot we were taking.

Caddie Kessler: There was a guy on 13 that was sitting by that creek. This is what we said to each other that wasn’t about golf basically. He goes, “Hey, that guy looks like he’s taking a leak in the pond over there.” That’s literally what he said. That’s all we said that wasn’t about golf. And I go, “Yeah, it does look like he’s taking a leak.”

So anyways … walking up 18 we think, all right, let’s get this second shot on the green. And, of course, you want to be maybe just to the right, pin-high. It’s a pretty straightforward putt. But, of course, his adrenaline was kickin’. And he just hits it, little-pull hook. It’s just a little bit too long.

Collins: For making that noise?

Kessler: Yeah. Like … “Why? You gotta do that now? Right as he tees it up? You couldn’t do it after?” So that was pretty killer. You par, you win. Simple as that. Hit the fairway, hit the green, two-putt, call it a day.

Collins: When he hits the tee shot and it’s in the fairway, you still can’t take that deep breath?

Kessler: No. Absolutely not.

Collins: Take me through that last part with a one-shot lead.

Kessler: So him and I have probably said five words to each other that weren’t about golf today. Everything was about what we were doing and about the shot we were taking.

There was a guy on 13 that was sitting by that creek. This is what we said to each other that wasn’t about golf basically. He goes, “Hey, that guy looks like he’s taking a leak in the pond over there.” That’s literally what he said. That’s all we said that wasn’t about golf. And I go, “Yeah, it does look like he’s taking a leak.”

Collins: And what are you feeling?

Collins: When that ball disappeared into the cup, what was the first thing you thought?

Kessler: The first three words that came out of my mouth were, “Yes, yes, yes!” There was probably some expletives going on. That’s what I told him, “Great job. It didn’t look pretty, but it definitely got the job done.”