Caldwell Ignores Caddy To Grab Portgual Masters Ace

4 years ago by Comments Off on Caldwell Ignores Caddy To Grab Portgual Masters Ace

There were no keys to a new car, no cash windfall and no champagne shower other than a gift pack of local wine when Jonathon Caldwell grabbed an ‘ace’ on day two of the Portugal Masters.

Caldwell had bogeyed the third and fourth holes but then birdied the fifth when he stood on the tee at the near 200-metre par-3 sixth hole.

Caldwell’s caddy, Henry Tomlinson’s instructions were seemingly clear: “Aim at the camera tower.  Middle of the green.”

The 36-year old Belfast golfer, and a proud member at Clandeboye, didn’t listen to his caddy.

“So, I pushed-held the 4-iron and it’s just pitched perfect.  We were watching it and starting to get excited and it disappeared,” said Caldwell.

“If my caddy had his way, I would have gone for the middle of the green and two-putted for a ‘3’ (smiling)”.

It was Caldwell’s 10th hole-in-one in his career but a first in now 29 events on the main European Tour and on he knows would have had the members jumping at Clandeboye golf club to the east of Belfast.

“That’s my 10th hole-in-one but it’s been a long time and I think my last one was maybe about seven or eight years ago,” he said.

“I know the members at Clandeboye will be going crazy but there are still restrictions going on and I hope they are all social distancing but I am sure they will be enjoying a few beers. I will send them one later on me,” he said.

And Caldwell was not the only ace on day two as Frenchman Mathieu Finasse aced the eighth hole but a second 71 saw him miss the cut.

Caldwell arrived on the sun-splashed Algarve lying 127th on the Race to Dubai and the best performed of the small handful of Irish to be back competing on the European Tour since the lifting of the lockdown.

“It’s like every other tournament as I am just trying to do my best every day and on every shot and see what happens,” he said when asked his thoughts on securing a full Tour card for 2021.

“I have enjoyed spending time with the guys in the bubble while the Tour has down a great job in setting up the events for us, so I have been thoroughly enjoying it.”

And with the Dubai Duty Irish Open now a matter of weeks away, Caldwell is very much looking forward to playing close to home.

“Yes, it’s a huge event and also a home event.  It’s just unfortunate I have not played the course for a number of years.  It’s also unfortunate we cannot have the crowds that we would normally get, as they really do come out to support us well,” he said.

“Saying that, I’m looking forward to it.  It’s local for me, so it will be nice to be home for the week.”

 



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