Caddie Rae will be sorely missed

Last Friday was the funeral of one of Scottish golf ’s great characters in Jimmy Rae.

Jimmy caddied for Paul McGinley and Ian Poulter for years. I knew him quite well through Paul but must have known him for about 25 years.

I am good friends with Raymond Russell, who is from Prestonpans and so was Jimmy. He was sharp-witted and could be harsh at times but he was such a keen supporter.

A lot of my memories of Jimmy probably are not printable. But he would always give it to you tight if something went wrong.

You could not say the wrong things around him or you would get slagged for it. He kept you on your toes.

He helped me out with a lot of things for my foundation. He would get me a lot of signed stuff, from Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, if I needed anything for prizes or auctions.

I would meet him in London if I was down there and would give him some of my clothing, if I had changed logos or sponsors.

He was an institution more than anything else and it is just so sad to see.