First round leader Martin Laird has heaped praise on Australian caddy Shay Knight after his impressive seven-under 65 at the The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
The Scotsman, who is tied for the lead with England’s Ian Poulter, took on Knight as his bagman last week and readily credited the Aussie looper for his success.
“I had a new caddie starting last week, Shay Knight, he’s an Australian guy I’ve known him for years, and made that change a couple weeks ago. It just kind of helps keep me a little looser,” Laird said.
Knight was a long time caddy for Australian Matt Jones before recently working with American DJ Trahan but with Jones based in Arizona and Laird now in Charlotte, where Knight resides, the opportunity to change seemed timely.
The biggest help came on the greens where the relaxed attitude helped Laird to just 24 putts in his round.
“I’d had the same caddie for four and a half years, and having a new guy kind of relaxed me,” Laird continued.
“We’ve been friends for years and it was kind of nice to be out on the course and be able to chat away to someone that’s my age and is like a friend as opposed to a caddie.
“I’m not saying my old caddie and I weren’t friends, it’s just a little different when it’s someone you’ve been friends with anyway.
“I think that’s definitely helped keep me a little more relaxed on the golf course, and it feeds through all parts of your game down to your putting.”
Knight’s move from Trahan seemed genius as the American struggled to an eight-over par 80 to be tied for second last.