Scottish caddie Crane desperate to make mark
SCOTTISH bagman Mark Crane has the perfect shoulder to lean on as he prepares for his first taste of the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine this week.
The Ayrshireman, who caddies for English rookie Chris Wood, is relishing the prospect of being involved in the intense cutand-thrust of the transatlantic tumult.
While Crane is a new recruit to the biennial battle, Glasgow caddie Craig Connelly will be making his seventh straight Ryder Cup appearance and his fourth with German ace Martin Kaymer
And Prestwick-based Crane knows he doesn’t need to go far to seek some pearls of caddie wisdom.
He said: “There are a few things you want to experience as a caddie.
“The Masters is one and the Ryder Cup is definitely another, especially as it’s almost unique in golf being a team event. There’s probably a better chance of you getting to The Masters with a player than being involved in a Ryder Cup, so this is a special opportunity.
“Craig is a good friend and I’ve spoken to him a lot. Most of the guys who’ve been there and done it tell you the same thing, which is to do what you normally do and don’t get caught up.
“Like everyone else on the team, you are there to do a job so you have to stay focused.
“There’s a chance it will be hostile and abuse could be aimed at you and your player, but that’s part and parcel of being the away team at a Ryder Cup and you just have to try and take everything in your stride.”
Wood effectively rubberstamped his Ryder Cup place in May when he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and Crane added: “It’s pretty special that Chris and I are sharing this journey for the first time together.
“Though he doesn’t show it, he wears his heart on his sleeve and is a really strong competitor.”