A look at how Lucas Bjerregaard teamed up with new bagman Sean Mcdonagh.
Golf may be an individual sport but if you ask any top professional about their success they will always talk about the team.
The modern golfer could have a manager, a swing coach, a putting coach, a trainer, a psychologist and a host of other people on their side but the most visible member of the team will always be the caddie.
More than just a person who carries the clubs and calculates the yardages, a caddie can be an adviser, a listener and a friend - but how do you find the perfect fit?
This week at the Omega European Masters, Lucas Bjerregaard is linking up for the first time with Sean Mcdonagh, the man who was on the bag for Andy Sullivan for three European Tour victories and a Ryder Cup appearance before their amicable split in December.
The duo have made an encouraging start at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club and we caught up with Lucas to chat about what he is looking for in a caddie and the week long process that saw him find one.
Why make a switch?
Sometimes it is time for a little change. You see players out here who change a lot but I don’t think I do it a lot. I have been out here for six years. My caddies normally last a year and a half, then it is time for something new. It's probably more about me than them, not that they have done anything wrong. I think the relatively small time together is due to my caddie having a huge influence on me and they are a critical part of my success. They see things differently to me and that is a good thing in my opinion. Sometimes when things aren't going well, you need a new view on things.
How do you get started?
When the rumour gets out that someone is looking for a new caddie, you get a few caddies putting their name forward. I think the last couple of times is, I've been out here six years and I'm starting to figure out what I want in a caddie, where before it was pretty new to me. It's guys that I like and get along with but now I know more about what I'm looking for in a caddie. So I write a list down on what I'm looking for.
What are you looking for?
For me it is someone who is ambitious themselves. Someone who likes to put work in. I spend quite a lot of time on the golf course, so someone who doesn't mind doing that, to go with me away from events too and prepare. Someone who wants to build something from the ground up, this is our first week and we're going to try to build our own model in what we think my game should look like. Someone who is in it for the long haul, someone who doesn't mind not being perfect just now but knows we are building something good in the future. Someone who has experience playing big events all over the world.
How do you make a decision?
What I have done is to have a few interviews with the caddies and stuff. For my last caddie, I interviewed with three caddies who came to meet my coaches and team in a more formal interview which lasted an hour each. My mental coach has a big part to play in it. It's the same guy I have worked with since I was 16 years old.
Why Sean?
My decision for my new caddie Sean Mcdonagh, Andy Sullivan's former caddie, came down to a number of factors. Some of the other caddies that were in contention had some of those qualities as well. In the end, it just came to who I thought worked best based on my criteria. It is a bit of a process but, hopefully, I don't have to look for a new caddie any time soon.
How important is it to get it right?
There are a lot of guys who if they need a new caddie a few guys will apply and they grab who they like the most. Those are the relationships that don't last very long. That's why I'm putting a good bit of effort into it that I can find someone who can last a while. It went well the last time, hopefully it will again this time.
