Sunday, August 1, 2010

IT’S an old adage that it’s not what you know but who you know that counts - and for one Dubai resident that proved to be truer than ever at the Desert Classic.

Acting as caddie for winner Miguel Angel Jimenez as a one-off earned Mark Stannard a big bonus payday - that is as long as the star Spaniard remembers to pay him.

Stannard may now run a flower farm in the UAE but it was his previous career as a tour caddie in 2001 and 2002 that prompted Jimenez to persuade him into a radical temporary career change: the Zimbabwean got a last-minute call from the new world No.30 to carry the Majlis master’s bag. And before he knew it he was on the practice range with friend and golfing great Jimenez.

“He called me on Sunday evening saying he and his caddie had split up and asking would I like to be on his bag for the Desert Classic,” Stannard told 7DAYS. “Having caddied for Miguel before I jumped at the chance.

“I run a flower farm and so the first thing I did was ask if I could have some leave.”

Such is the pair’s friendship that the issue of payment wasn’t brought up at all and still hadn’t after Jimenez sunk the winning putt to beat Lee Westwood in Sunday’s nail-biting play-off.

As caddie, Stannard is entitled to ten per cent of the Spaniard’s sizable $416,660 winner’s cheque. And Stannard added: “We hadn’t talked about money.

When he called we just talked about whether I was up for carrying his bag. I hope I might get a nice cheque soon!”

But once back on the bag of the three-time Ryder Cup star the old magic came back.

“It was just like old times.

He told me he wasn’t enjoying his golf at the end of last year and the start of this and he just wanted to relax and have a good time. And we did - it was a a fun and enjoyable weekend.

“He was very relaxed and sometimes a change in caddie does result in a win.

Perhaps I am his good luck charm!”

As soon as the tournament went into the play-off, Stannard was confident that his man could topple Europe No.1 Westwood.

While he plays down his role in Jimenez’s win he did admit to having input into what proved to be a crucial call at the death.

On the first play-off hole, the par-five 18th, with Westwood on the green in two and the Spaniard laying up, Stannard and Jimenez knew the next shot was vital. And the pair made a massive decision to keep them in the hunt for the title.  

“We changed from a pitching wedge to a nine-iron but it still fell short and we both thought it had gone in the water,” Stannard said.

However, the ball stayed dry and the rest is history as Westwood three-putted and Jimenez made his up and down before the play-off eventually moved to the ninth green and the scene of glory.

Asked if he might continue to carry Jimenez’s bag Stannard said: “The manager called and asked me to stay and I was tempted, but my family and business come first.”