An Australian-born caddy, who is an amazing twist grew-up some three streets from where your author lives, will be helping steer Scotland’s Martin Laird towards a repeat of Sandy Lyle’s double winning effort 25 years ago.
Shay Knight grew up in Willoughby in the lower northern suburbs of Sydney.
He used to caddy for fellow Australian Matt Jones but recently has switched to work for Laird.
Knight, who used to also work with American T J Trahan, has been working with Laird since last year’s Players Championship where they hit it off remarkable as evident by the Scot shooting a first round 65 that included just 24 putts.
And Knight, who also resides in Laird’s base of Charlotte, North Carolina is now making his Masters debut having helped Laird to victory in last week’s Valero Texas Open.
Martin Laird wins 2013 Valero Texas Open with Aussie caddy, Shay Knight on the bag.
Laird and Knight arrived in Augusta late on Sunday night from San Antonio and with nowhere to stay for the night. So Hambric Sports that looks after Laird arranged for him to stay the night at the house rented by Sandy Lyle, also a Hambric Sports client.
No sooner had Laird arrived at the house and Lyle reminded him it is 25 years this year that he won the Greater Greensboro Open and then went onto Augusta to become the first British golfer to be fitted with a green jacket.
And while Laid is making his third Masters appearance, Knight is thrilled to be making his debut.
“It’s been a life-long dream to be here,” said Knight.
“I’ve been here twice as a spectator but to walk inside the ropes and to get an understanding of the greens and to walk over the bridge on 12, it’s just phenomenal.
“Even though we had such a lean start to the year and Martin was struggling with his putting he went back to his old putter and fixed his posture and started flushing it.
“I said to ‘you he needed to be more aggressive and just play your natural game’ and that’s what he did in Texas. He hit it unbelievably all week and then finally made the putts on Sunday when it counted and now we’re here.”
Knight said once he gets the wow factor of the place out of his system it will be business as usual.
“Obviously you can be overawed by the crowds, where you are, and just the feel about the place,” he said.
“I’ve had that moment but now I’m here to do a job and the best one I can do possible.
“People have been telling me, he can’t miss it there, he can’t miss it here, but the bottom line is we just need to keep the ball below the hole. I’m not the player but I will just try to give as much helpful advice as I can.”
Knight is all too familiar with the Australian curse at Augusta, where no Australian has ever won, but joked a Laird win might be halfway towards lifting the hoodoo.
Plus the Scotsman has plenty of positive vibes going his way, given it’s the 25th anniversary of countryman Sandy Lyle winning the Masters, the week after winning a tour event.
The two Scots are even sharing the same house this week.
“Seriously, Martin is an unbelievable talent, he’s got plenty of heart and that’s what you need,” Knight said.
“If he has a hot week with the putter, which is what he did last week, then anything is possible.
“He’s coming here without expectations from others but he’s quietly confident.”
FOOTNOTE
And Knight is not the only Australian-born caddy making his Masters debut as Brian Nilson, who caddies for Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, will also be pulling on those unfashionable Augusta National white overalls for the first time, as well.
