This week’s Volvo Champions event here in Durban is sporting a double Elvis act.

Firstly, there is the South African-born caddy named Elvis who now caddies for Richard Sterne and who used to caddy for Scotland’s Peter Whiteford.

And there is a second caddy named Elvis who was born in Swaziland and is walking the Durban Country Club course calling the shots for Ireland’s Simon Thornton, and the reigning St. Omer champion.

Simon Thornton reckons Elvis is ‘King of the Green’. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

As good friend and colleague Karl MacGinty reported it was fellow Irish professional Damien McGrane who first spotted his potential so much so he’s labelled him ‘King of the Greens’.

“I don’t know if he sings or dances like Elvis, somehow I doubt it, but that’s the name he goes by,” Thornton explained with a smile. “He’s great at reading greens.

“You know your clubs yourself in the wind, it’s a five, a six or a seven, but when it comes to reading the grainy greens, that’s a different matter.”

However Thornton is only drawing on his input for this week as he will link up England-born Adam Morrow for next week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.  Morrow caddied for Ross Fisher when he captured the 2012 Portugal Masters.

Karl goes on to point out after a three-week Christmas break at home in Newcastle, Thornton wants to build on the momentum achieved last year.

“I’ve been taking an upward curve. The key now is to continue that. This tournament is a perfect start to the year,” he said.

“One of these every month would be great. All the players here are big names and it’s great to go out with them, give it a go and see what happens. I’ve nothing to lose.”