Retirement time has come for one of the greatest caddy in history

He has caddied the greatest players of the last three decades but only won his first Major two years ago in Brookline (USA). However, the legendary English caddy, Billy Foster, has decided to take a step back in 2026.

The shopping cart Matthew Fitzpatrick, Billy Fosterconfirmed that he had planned to move away from the fairways in 2026. He has already organized the transition with the Englishman so that it goes smoothly. It is Dan Parrattanother experienced caddy, who will gradually replace him.

During a recent interview, the “looper”, now 58 years old, who has carried the “Fitzy” bag since 2018 after separating from Lee Westwoodadmitted that he was starting to feel the weight of the years.

I could also do a few tournaments in Europe with other players, we'll see.

“I'll be 59 next week, so I'm going to share my work. With 26 or 27 events per year in the United States, I feel that age is catching up with me. I decided to let Dan Parratt fill in for me from time to time. He has been a caddy for about 15 years. »

His association with Fitzpatrick allowed him to win his first Major in 2022 in the US Open in Brookline but it is in Ryder Cup that he experienced his greatest hours. “The Ryder Cup makes the Majors look like regular tournaments,” he did not hesitate to declare.

If Fitzpatrick qualifies for the Ryder Cup, Foster will make his 16th appearance for the European team at Bethpage next September but he intends to reduce his schedule.

“I will do about 13 or 14 tournaments. I'll do the Florida, the Masters and Hilton Head and Dan will do the USPGA and the Memorial. I'll come and do the US Open, the Open and the Scottish Open, and Dan will do the FedEx Cup playoffs. I could also do a few tournaments in Europe with other players, we'll see. »

For the launch of the new season, it is Foster who will be at the Sentry in Hawaii but Parratt will then take over for the tournaments that follow in California.

Don't end up like “Fluffy”

As a reminder, Foster has carried the bag of some of the greatest players for over 40 years in over 1,200 tournaments. He was alongside Tiger Woods, Severiano Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Thomas Bjorn, Ernie Els, etc…

His most moving memory dates from 2006 in Ryder at K Clubwhen he carried the bag of Darren Clarke six weeks after the death of the Northern Irishman's wife.

He recently said he didn't want to end up like Mike Cowan (Fluff) and continue to caddy until age 70. He prefers to imagine spending happy days in the Austrian mountains where he has a vacation spot.

©AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS