Glaswegian-born bagman Craig Connelly has won the prestigious ‘Caddy of the Year’ award at a gala function in Shanghai.

Connelly is the caddy to reigning US Open champion Martin Kaymer who, along with many of those contesting this week’s WGC – HSBC Champions event, was present at the awards presentation.

The combination of Kaymer and Connelly earned success in the Players Championship and also at Pinehurst No. 2 in June where Kaymer captured a second major by a massive six shots.

However World No. 1 Rory McIlroy’s decision not to compete in the $US 8.5m Shanghai event certainly cost his caddy, J P Fitzgerald the top prize.

McIlroy and Fitzgerald combined to win the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship along with three events in succession – the Open Championship, WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and a second PGA Championship.

But under the ‘Caddy of the Year’ award rules a player must compete in Shanghai for his caddy to be eligible for the award.

Scotland born Craig Connelly named – 2014 Caddy of the Year. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)