Caddie Guna gets an offer he cannot refuse from Lydia

MALAYSIAN professional caddie Sargunan Suntharaj thought he had it all planned out.

He was supposed to just sit back, relax and enjoy Deepavali after returning home from Japan this week.

But a call from world No. 1 Lydia Ko put paid to his plans.

The New Zealander wanted the 37-year-old, fondly known as Guna, to carry her bag for this week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse. And the timing was perfect too. Lydia, 18, is without a bagman after parting ways with long-term caddie Jason Hamilton.

Guna has a week off as his client – Masahiro Kawamura – has taken the week off from his schedule on the Japan Golf Tour.

“Masahiro is not playing this week, so I got a week off for Deepavali. But Lydia’s mother (Hyeon Bong-sook) called me and asked if I were interested to work for Lydia this week,” said Guna.

“I was introduced to her by (American) Danielle Kang, whom I worked with the LPGA Malaysia previously.

“I’ll never say ‘no’ to a job offer ... let alone an opportunity to work for the world No. 1!

“It’s really an honour to be on Lydia’s bag. I’ve been working for her since Monday ... she’s such a nice girl and really down to earth.

“I hope to impress her ... who knows, it may open up more opportunities for me in the future.”

Guna, who started to caddie at the age of 11, also has the distinction of being the first Malaysian caddie to be on the winning bag on European soil when American David Lipsky won the European Masters in Switzerland two years ago.

He has also caddied for the likes of the late Ali Kadir (1993-1999) and three-time European Tour champion Marcus Fraser of Australia (2002-2010) before joining forces with David Lipsky last November.

Apart from Mashiro, Guna also works for 29-time Japan Golf Tour winner Shingo Katayama.