Caddie for amateur at Pebble Beach collapses
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) — The caddie for an amateur in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am collapsed on the 11th fairway Friday, and CPR was performed on him until an ambulance arrived to take him to the hospital.
In a tournament known for its easy vibe with celebrities and scenery, the final three hours at Pebble Beach took on a somber tone, particularly those on and around the 11th hole when the caddie fell over.
The PGA Tour did not release his name. Early reports were the caddie’s condition was improving. He was working for local businessman Geoff Couch, who did not return to finish the round.
“I turn around and he’s on the ground and I ran over to him and turned him over,” said country singer Lukas Nelson, the other amateur in the group. “And he didn’t have a lot of color in him. Luckily, there was a police officer on the sideline. He knew CPR so he came in and effectively saved his life.”
Gary Young, the PGA Tour’s chief referee, said a spectator began the CPR and an officer from Cal Fire took over from there.
PGA Tour players Beau Hossler and Max McGreevy, after consultation with PGA Tour officials, chose not to
speak to reporters out of respect to the caddie’s family.
“It was especially jarring, the weirdest thing that can happen on a golf course,” Nelson said. “The good news is he’s at the moment doing better. From my perspective, it seemed like we lost him. And he’s still with us, so that’s important.”
After consulting with a PGA Tour rules official, Hossler and McGreevy marked their golf balls on the 11th hole and returned to the clubhouse. They were able to warm up and returned to the 11th hole after every group had come
through to finish the round.
Nelson wasn’t sure he wanted to return, a feeling shared by others, except for getting good reports on the caddie’s improved condition.
“I think everybody on property knew what had happened and everybody was flat,” said Harry Higgs, who was a couple of groups back. “There was no energy, no juice on any of the holes coming in. … Fortunately, we got some good news and kept going. I hope there’s more good news in the coming hours and days. Just very difficult and kind of a first — hopefully, a last.”