RICE IN CADDIE FIELD

CADDIE Chris Rice is eyeing Rory McIlroy’s bag after splitting with Tyrrell Hatton.

Rice, who has been on the European Tour for eight years, teamed up with rising English star Hatton early in 2016 and helped him climb into the world’s top 30. But the pair parted company recently and Rice is now among a clutch of caddies hoping to get the nod from McIlroy, who split with long-term caddie JP Fitzgerald in July.

Hatton (left) is doing OK without Rice – he leads the British Masters by three shots at halfway thanks to a second-round 65 at Close House in Northumberland.