Legendary caddy Dave Musgrove who helped steer Sandy Lyle in capturing The Open and The Masters has passed away.

‘Mussie’, as he was more affectionately known, caddied for Lyle for nine years and was by Lyle’s side when the Scot won the 1985 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s.

Two years later, Musgrove again called the shots when Lyle became the first and still the only Scot to win the Masters.

Dave Musgrove and Sandy Lyle lift the Claret Jug in 1995 at Royal St. George’s.

Dave Musgrove and Sandy Lyle lift the Claret Jug in 1995 at Royal St. George’s.

Musgrove also caddied for a stint for American Lee Jansen that yielded two US Open victories.

He caddied for so many others including four years with Seve Ballesteros, and given Seve’s notorious relationship with caddies four years was like a lifetime.

It’s reported that when he arrived on the final green at the 1970 Open at Royal Lytham, Seve said he could take four putts and still win, but Musgrove responded, “no you cant’, I’ve a bet on your to finish under par,”

He once is known to have said of Bernard Langer: “when he practices on his own, he can hold up a fourball.”

Dave Musgrove or ‘Mussie’ as he was very affectionately known has passed away.

There is also the tale of the father of then 15-year old Carly Booth suggesting that Musgrove would be the ideal caddy for his daughter in the 2008 Curtis Cup, and no doubt hoping Dave’s input could also help the team end a long losing streak to the Americans.

Enter the Ladies Golf Union who considered it ‘might be an unfair advantage’ to the team if the youngest-ever GB & I qualifier had someone of Dave’s legendary stature caddying in the Curtis Cup.

Dave responded: “Having spent most of my career being called a liability, I can’t tell you how proud I am someone now thinks me an unfair advantage.”

RIP Mussie.