Only in golf: Fan saves PGA Tour player’s day

Golf is a sport where you literally never know what will happen. The best player in the world can make a 10 on a par 3 hole, and a fan can step in and caddie for a professional player. Anything can happen on a course, no questions asked.

On the final day of the RBC Canadian Open, Taiwanese player C.T. Pan found himself in a bit of a pickle when his regular caddie and looping legend, Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan, was injured in a fall on the third hole. As ‘Fluff’ was unable to continue, Pan found himself in a tricky spot with his bag unattended.

It was at this moment that the spirit of the game of golf really shone through in a rather unusual way. 

C.T. Pan: Navigating Uncharted Waters at The Golf Course

At 76 years old, Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan’s fall was a concern, and he was unable to continue caddying for C.T. Pan. This put Pan in a tough spot. He needed help right away to carry his bag and support him through the rest of the round.

As Pan walked Cowan over to a medic on the side of the fairway, a local fan named Paul Emerson stepped up to offer his help. Emerson, a self-described “golf nut” from Aurora, Ontario, had never caddied in a professional event before, but he was eager to take on the role.

“I helped Fluff get the bib off, threw it on, and started walking up the hole,” Emerson recounted to the PGA Tour official website.

Emerson’s stint as Pan’s caddie was short-lived, lasting only two holes. Despite his enthusiasm, the physical demands of caddying proved to be a challenge, and Emerson was soon replaced by Michael Campbell, a member of the caddie services team. Campbell carried Pan’s golf bag through the fifth fairway before Al Riddell, PGA Tour player Paul Barjon’s regular caddie, finished up for the day.

Amidst the chaos of Pan’s four-caddie saga, Shane Lowry, Pan’s playing partner, injected a dose of humor with a lighthearted comment.

Lowry quipped, “Fourth caddie? That’s a f*****g record now!”

His joke captured the surreal side of Pan’s situation while also showing how friendly and good-natured the world of professional golf can be.

Canadian sports media reported later in the day that Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan would be fine as his injuries were minor.

In the history of golf, C.T. Pan’s four-caddie adventure at the RBC Canadian Open will go down as a testament to the human spirit and the unwavering support of the golfing community. Despite the challenges he faced, Pan showed great poise and determination, navigating uncharted waters with grace under pressure.

As the final putt dropped and Pan finished his round, he not only had a respectable score but also gained a new appreciation for the camaraderie and goodwill that define the sport of golf. In a world where competition often takes center stage, moments like these remind us of the values that truly matter: friendship, sportsmanship, and the enduring bond between players and fans.