Darren Clarke will look to steady his fledging game after settling on a new full time caddy in Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey.
Morbey has reluctantly severed ties with England’s Danny Willett to again work for the current British Open winner.
The England-born Morbey first worked with Clarke in 2008 and 2009 and was on the bag when Clarke captured the 2008 KLM Open and in the week before the final Ryder Cup qualifying event when Clarke was overlooked for a Valhalla ‘wildcard’ spot.
'Wobbly' and Darren Clarke are smiling at least for the time being after 'Wobbly' agreed to now again full time for the British Open winner. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Clarke had been without a full-time caddy since he and Royal St. George’s winning caddy, John Mulrooney split after the Dubai Desert Classic earlier this year.
Morbey agreed to caddy for Clarke during three straight events in the U.S., the WGC events in Arizona and Florida along with the Honda Classic sandwiched between the two, and given Willett had not qualified for the WGCs.
But since finishing in a share of 43rd in the Cadillac Championship, Clarke spoke with Morbey offering him the position full time and after then speaking with Willett at last fortnight’s Andalucian Open, he accepted.
“I’m pleased to be back working for Darren but it was tough having to inform Danny as he’s a really great player with so much potential,” said Morbey.
“I’ve enjoyed caddying for him and suffice to say, Danny was a little disappointed.
“But the Darren’s into all the Majors and the WGC’s this year and that was one reason for going back with Darren.”
Morbey indicated Willett has managed to get Coleraine’s Ryan McGuiggan who had worked as caddy to Matteo Manassero for his first two years on the Tour.
Clarke’s relationship with Morbey was already firing on all four cylinders as evident today(TUES) on the Redstone Golf practice putting green with Clarke giving out to ‘Wobbly’.
“The first thing Wobbly’s got to learn in this motion,” said Clarke who slipped his right hand into his back pocket as if to grab for his wallet and then returned his hand in an out-stretched position.
“Wobbly has to learn to pay the valet occasionally (laughing).”
Morbey, not one for holding back, responded: “Well, I paid for a meal in Palm Beach, didn’t I?”
Clarke was also ‘winding-up’ ISM client manager, Louis Martin on his choice of clothing and putting trainer, Phil Kenyon was not spared.
Kenyon was wearing a Shell Houston Open accreditation badge with the name ‘Grendyl Kennon.
“You see what happens when you leave Darren to organise the passes,” said Kenyon.
Clarke is competing in Houston for a fifth time in his career starting with finishing second by six shots in 2002 to Vijay Singh at the Woodland’s course.
He was then fourth on the Redstone’s Fall Creek course in 2005 but since the event moved to the Tournament course Clarke had been forced to withdraw in 2006 and missed the cut in his last Houston showing in 2009.
This week’s $US 6m event is only Clarke’s fifth this season and in that time he’s not been back to Portrush.
“I haven’t been in Portrush since February and I’m not getting back to May 21st,” he said.
Clarke revealed after contesting next week’s Masters he and his fiancee, Allison are travelling with his two sons to the Caribbean for a holiday.
