The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Brooks’ bag feeling light on Elliott’s shoulders
● Caddie always new four-time major winner was the real deal
Ricky Elliott knew immediately that Brooks Koepka was something special, but admits he could never have imagined just how right he would be.
Elliott started caddying for Koepka in the 2013 US PGA Championship and the pair have worked together ever since, during which time Koepka has won four major titles and $25 million in prize money on the PGA Tour and become world number one.
Koepka will head to Pebble Beach next month looking for a third consecutive US Open victory – a feat achieved just once in the tournament’s history, by Scotland’s Willie Anderson from 1903 to 1905.
And the 29-year-old American will then rely heavily on Elliott’s local knowledge as the Open championship is staged in his caddie’s hometown of Portrush in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.
“I’ve played
there a lot growing up but Brooks hits the ball differently than the lines I hit it on,” said Elliott, who is good friends with another Portrush native, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell.
“I’ll have to work on my yardage book for Brooks playing it but obviously a little local knowledge doesn’t hurt. Brooks has got a big following in Portrush, probably because of me, so he’ll be well supported and I think Portrush will be set up well for him.”
Elliott was a very good golfer in his own right, winning titles such as the Ulster Boys’ Championship and the Ulster Youth Championship as well as representing Ireland in the 1990 European Youths’ Championship.
After attending the University of Toledo on a golf scholarship, Elliott tried to make it as a professional before accepting an assistant professional’s post at Lake Nona in Orlando.
The 42-year-old eventually moved into caddying and worked for the likes of 2003 Open champion Ben Curtis before the job opportunity which would change his life.
Koepka, meanwhile, won his first major in the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills and, after becoming the first player since Curtis Strange in 1989 to defend the title at Shinnecock Hills, he also won the 2018 US PGA at Bellerive.
After finishing second to Tiger Woods in the Masters last month Koepka then led from start to finish at Bethpage and Elliott added: “What he’s just done goes down in history.
“He’s just so calm all the time.
“He obviously realises he’s one of the better players out there now.”