Irish caddy has inside track on famous course

NONE of the three Irish professionals know what it’s like to be part of a US Open at Shinnecock Hills but Colin Byrne does. The experienced caddy will be on the bag of Rafa Cabrera Bello this week where his knowledge of the course could be invaluable for the Canary Islander. In the 2004 US Open, Byrne (below) was caddy for Retief Goosen, who held off Phil Mickelson in a Long Island thriller. The Howth native, who has also ‘looped’ for Ernie Els and Alex Noren, sees Goosen’s glory march that sunny Sunday as the highlight of his career. No Spaniard has ever won the US Open, but Cabrera Bello will tee off on Thursday on a decent run of form after finishing 17th in The Players, eighth in the PGA Championship and fourth in last Open. week’s Italian Should the Ryder Cup ace find himself in contention on Sunday, having someone beside him who has been there, and done it, can only be an asset.