Zechmann tragedy has Tour grieving

THE world of golf was left in shock yesterday after the death of caddie Max Zechmann during the first round of the Dubai Ladies Masters. The caddie collapsed on the 13th fairway and was attended to by the on-site medical team before being taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Austrian Zechmann, 56, was caddying for French golfer Anne-Lise Caudal. Tributes flooded in for Zechmann, right, who had carried the bag in European Tour victories for German Marcel SORROW: Caudal is consoled by tournament director Michael Wood Siem and Austria’s Markus Brier and was working for Caudal this week having retired from the Tour.

They were only four holes into the opening round, having started on the back nine, when Zechmann collapsed.

Play was immediately halted and was set to resume today as a 54-hole event.

Scotland’s Carly Booth, who was playing in the same group, tweeted: “Tough start today for our group to experience something so horrendous.”

Siem said: “A true gentleman and friend has left us. He was always smiling and helping everybody where and whenever he could. We miss you.” Ian Poulter, who is playing in the European Tour event in Hong Kong this week, tweeted: “Done many rounds with Big Max. RIP thoughts go out to his family and friends.” New European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn tweeted: “Dreadful news out of Dubai today. Thoughts are with loved ones and everyone involved.” Ladies European Tour CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh added: “Everyone at the Tour is extremely shocked and saddened.”