Jonathan Caldwell may well be remembered by some as ‘the other guy’ from the 2007 Walker Cup, considering the meteoric rise to the top of world golf by his playing partner seven years ago, Rory McIlroy. But the Northern Irishman is showing that he still has what it takes at Galgorm Castle this week.
The 30 year old played alongside the current World Number One at Royal County Down back in 2007 and, while the Great Britain and Ireland team, did not seal victory that week, many of the players present that week have gone on to huge success on the world stage.
McIlroy’s many achievements in the professional ranks have most certainly made him the most successful, but Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Webb Simpson, Danny Willett, David Horsey and Rhys Davies all went on to achieve success on the highest levels of the game after glittering amateur careers.
Caldwell, meanwhile, has struggled to emulate his amateur success in the paid ranks but his class shone through this week on his return to the Challenge Tour as he was the leading Northern Irish player heading into the final round at a tournament which has conceived in order to give players like him the chance to beat a path to the top of the world game.
The Newtownards player knows he has taken a very different path to his playing partner from the Walker Cup seven years ago, but is still hoping he can battle his way back to the top.
“I’ve been playing a little bit on the EuroPro Tour,” he said. “This week is only my fourth event of the season and it’s a much bigger event so a good finish here would be a nice boost.
“I think most people think professional golf is quite a glamourous lifestyle but when you’re playing on the satellite tours and the levels below European Tour you’re doing a lot of flying on low cost airlines, renting cars and hotel rooms.
“It all adds up and it’s difficult to get sponsors. You miss a cut, you’re not picking up any money so it has cost you for the week. The confidence is lost then when you don’t’ play well – it’s OK when you’re playing well and making money but if you’re missing cuts it’s costing you and it’s quite stressful.
“It’s been great this week, sleeping at home and having family and friends out supporting. I played well all week, but I probably need to get off to a quick start on the final day to have a run at it, if I can get a bit of noise from the crowd it would be great.
Of McIlroy’s incredible success, Caldwell said: “Not only me, but all of people thought Rory was going to do great things. We maybe didn’t expect him to do it so quickly. The things he’s doing are just unbelievable.
“He’s a league above everybody I think, and we was back then in 2007. He’s always had a fantastic mindset, he’s a very confident person and doesn’t fire away from too many flags and he’s very good at it.
“Personally, I'm just trying to take it one week at a time. I don’t think about the past too often, I look to the future and see if I can get a go at it myself.”
