Billy Foster is a vastly experienced caddie. (Image: Getty)
Billy Foster is considered a veteran caddie on the , but it seems he’s rarely seen anything like Tom Kim. Now in his 43rd year carrying bags for the world’s best, the Yorkshireman lost his head on the weekend while working for Sky Sports.
Foster was a guest commentator as the broadcaster covered the WM Phoenix Open, an event that was eventually won by Belgium’s Thomas Dentry.
But it was the play of South Korean Kim that was in the spotlight, despite him finishing tied for 44th and 18 shots off the winning margin.
Kim has previously been criticised this year for his slow play at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. And the issue came up between Foster and co-commentator Robert Lee when the 22-year-old again appeared to be dithering over a shot.
“Yeah, I’ve fallen asleep on my head covers leaning on the bag waiting for him to hit a shot now and again,” said Foster. “He’s as slow as it comes, get on with it will you.”
Lee then offered a mild defence of the player, asking: “Purposeful would you say?” But Foster was unrelenting, replying with: “No, just slow, so get on with it.”
Tlm Kim at the WM Phoenix Open. (Image: Getty)
Ironically, Kim, who had been weighing up his second shot from the rough on the par-five third, then made a complete hash of his approach. And Foster quickly took aim, quipping: “Ooooh Tom, see if he played it quickly he would have been alright.”
Foster is vastly respected in the professional game, having caddied for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, and Matt Fitzpatrick. However, he has opted to scale down his workload this year, sharing Fitzpatrick’s workload with Daniel Parratt.
His live outburst follows former pro player Frank Nobilo also savaging Kim at Pebble Beach. The New Zealander was unhappy after the world No.11 took around 40 seconds to address his ball, and then another 25 to take a swing.
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“A little less waggle might have helped,” said Nobilo, on the Golf Channel, after Kim failed to find the green. “It (the shot) was not worth the wait.”
It could now be an interesting exchange when Foster next encounters Kim at a PGA Tour event. Last week, it was announced by the LPGA there would now be stricter sanctions for female players found guilty of slow play, prompting calls for similar regulations in men’s golf.