The Golf Watch

"This is the first time we’ve heard of a split for patriotic reasons"

Rex Hoggard found out that Ben Curtis' English caddy will not be helping out at next month's Ryder Cup.  Hoggard explains:

We’ve heard of players and caddies splitting up for performance reasons, for personal reasons and for punctual reasons. But this is the first time we’ve heard of a split for patriotic reasons.

Englishman Andrew Sutton, Ben Curtis’ caddie since 2003, will not be on the bag for his man at next month’s Ryder Cup because, “I said if he ever made the team I couldn’t be with him,” the Englishman said.

“He’s definitely rooting for Europe,” Curtis said.

Curtis has drafted veteran looper Tony Navarro for Ryder Cup week...

Doesn't Steve Williams still caddy for Tiger at the President's Cup?  And people wonder why the Ryder Cup is more prestigous than the President's Cup.

Curtis saves fellow tour pro's life

The Golf Channel's Steve Sands reported on Sunday's Sprint Pre Game that Ben Curtis saved a fellow tour pro's life on Thursday afternoon.  According to Sands, Ben Curtis was seated at player dining with Julie Ogilvy, Geoff Ogilvy's wife, and fellow tour pro, Steve Allan, before their afternoon tee time.  While eating, Allan suddenly stood up from the table with some discomfort.  Ogilvy's wife asked Allan if he was okay.  Allan replied "no," saying that he was choking.  Curtis half-jokingly asked Allan if he needed the Heimlich maneuver.  Allan said he needed it, and Curtis got up and performed it.  Five minutes later, after throwing up some of the food, Allan felt better.  Sands said that Curtis probably saved Allan's life.