Calls For Koepka’s Caddy To Be Added To Portrush ‘Major Champions’ Welcome Sign.

There is calls now for an addition to Portrush’s sign ‘Major Golf Capital of the World’ after local-born caddy, Ricky Elliott helped steer Brooks Koepka to a third Major success.

The sign welcoming golfers to Portrush bears the names – Fred Daly (Open Champion 1947), Graeme McDowell (US Open champion 2010) and Darren Clarke (2011 Open champion).

Elliott, 41 remains a member of Royal Portrush and his parents, Pat and Martha reside in Portrush while his brother, Peter runs the golf shop at Coleraine.

Elliott enjoyed a great amateur career, winning the Ulster Boys’ and the Ulster Youths’ Championships while he competed for Ireland in the European Youths Championship in the 1990s alongside Michael Hoey.

He also played college golf for the University of Toledo in Ohio before teaming-up with Koepka at a Challenge Tour event in 2013.

Five years on, Elliott has carried the bag for Koepka’s three Major victories and with the American becoming the first player since Padraig Harrington to win three Majors in a 14-month span.

But after a nagging wrist injury late last year and into earlier this year looked to derail Koepka’s career, Elliott stood by his man so much so that now, and for a second Ryder Cup the Portrush-born bagman will again caddy for the American in a Ryder Cup.

“Being a young fellow Brooks wanted to keep playing and wWhen he got the MRIs they didn’t show much so he took some time off and there really wasn’t any timetable for him to come back,” recalled Elliott.

“It was pretty dire whether he would even come back this year. It was looking like that might happen. To do this, I don’t know, he’s come back with a new appreciation of the game.

“He was the freshest guy at the U.S. Open because he hadn’t played much and to keep it going to win a third Major is just incredible.”

Koepka went into the final round leading by just two shots and with Elliott admitting the duo knew that a rival would emerge from the pack, and as it turned-out it was Koepka’s boyhood hero, Tiger Woods and shooting his lowest score ever in a Major.

Ricky Elliott and triple Major winning Brooks Koepka

“Our plan was to play like we were behind and stay aggressive,” said Elliott.

“In our mind, someone was going to get to 14, 15, 16 under so we had to play like we were behind right from the start.

“It was his two heroes who were coming after him. If he was home watching on TV he’d be rooting for them if he wasn’t playing. He never flinched. I’m there clubbing him and he’s like it is Thursday afternoon.

“The reason Brooks has become strong in the Majors is his focus. We do the same things at regular events. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s an intangible thing. It’s something none of us can put a finger on it.

“He’s always been very calm. His wedge game has improved a lot working with Pete Cowen and he was just really dialled into it.

“Then after he missed a few putts and we heard all the roars going around and Tiger pulled within one I said, ‘You’ve got to push the button’, ‘You’ve got to get going’. ‘Your putts are going to start falling’.

“It was nothing much”.



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