Scot Calum Hill finds himself well in contention for a first Tour victory thanks to a bizarre set of player withdrawal and caddying circumstances at this week’s weather-affected Saudi International.
Hill, 26, had just played four holes of his second round early on day two when heavy showers resulted in a two-hour delay to play and with the Crook of Devon golfer eventually adding a two-under 70 to his opening 65.
Kiwi Ryan Fox is the clubhouse leader with a pair of 65s while Scot Stephen Gallacher joined Fox on 10-under par and still had six second round holes to play when play was halted due to darkness.
Three weeks ago, there was a Twitter snap of Hill rugged-up while hitting balls on a deep snow covered range at Gleneagles. He earned a start in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but did not qualify for last week’s Dubai Desert Classic.
Scotland’s Calum Hill in contention after two rounds of the Saudi International
Hill remained in the Middle East while younger brother and caddy, Ian headed home expecting his brother not to qualify but slowly players withdrew until he became first reserve when Thorbjorn Olesen withdrew.
Caddying for the Dane is legendary caddy Ian ‘Wobbly’ Morbey.
Hill said: “When we finished in Abu Dhabi, Ian asked me what my chances were of getting into Saudi and, at that time, I think we were still 12the reserve, so I said very, very slim.
“So, he decided to go home and, when I arrived here in Saudi on Tuesday I found Thorbjorn Olesen had withdrawn and his caddy, Wobbly was available, which was great.
“Thorbjorn had tested positive for COVID-19 in Abu Dhabi so had to withdraw from that event and he then picked-up an injury after that, so he had to pull out for this week but then Wobbly had a plane ticket for Saudi so that’s why he’s here this week.
Legendary caddy Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey
“So, you have to say Thorbjorn has done me two favours.”
‘Wobbly’, 55 began caddying in 1981 and then in eight Ryder Cups between 1987 and 2010, including stints behind the scenes at the likes of Brookline in 1999 and Hazeltine in 2016.
The Yorkshireman is nearing his 40th Tour and boasts 41 wins with nine different golfers but none better than the 1991 Masters in calling the shots for Ian Woosnam.
Hill said: “I haven’t had one poor course management decision or bad call. He’s just so professional all the way through.
“He’s very good at accommodating the player. He’s meshed-in very quickly to my game and it’s definitely just a big benefit just to be under the wing during the week and see what it’s like.
“He is hugely experienced. He is very interesting and very good. It is very easy to see the success he’s had.”
So, what about some of the stories ‘Wobbly’s’ told you?
Hill said: “No, none for your years (smiling).
And as for being forced off the course due to heavy showers?
Hill said: “We were on the 15th fairway and the fourth hole of my round when they sounded the siren.
“I have kept being told it only rains two days in the year here, so we had one today (smiling)”.
Past ASI Scottish Open champ, Bernd Wiesberger joined Hill in the clubhouse with scores of 64 and 68 to be at eight-under par while World No. 1 Dustin Johnson was also at eight-under but with four second round holes to play.
Top-ranked Scot Robert MacIntyre, with scores of 71 and 68, was at one-under par and inside the projected level par just off mark.
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