English caddie Brendan McCartain walked with Jose Maria Olazabal's victorious bag over his left shoulder and the 18th flagstick in his right hand as he basked in a Masters victory late Sunday evening.
``My reward is right here,'' he said pointing to his new souvenir.
This is McCartain's first season with Olazabal, asking for the job and getting it after he worked with Brit Peter Mitchell for two seasons. This is McCartain's first trip to the Masters.
``It's almost like a dream the last two days,'' he said. ``It's really weird. Having watched it like a lot of people for so many years, then to come here and win is incredible.''
McCartain didn't disclose how much he'd make for carrying Olazabal's bag, but he should command more than the standard 10 percent.
``He's been playing reasonably, he's just not been scoring,'' McCartain said. ``And there's hundred of reasons for that. With golfers, it's cycles, isn't it? We kept saying it would turn around, it would turn around and this is the week for it.''
What attracted McCartain to Olazabal was the chance to aid one of Europe's top professionals.
``Just the chance to work with one of the great players,'' McCartain said. ``Peter's a very, very good player, but Jose is the next step up.
``Look at the quality of his play and how strong he is mentally. The way that he's able to recover with his short game, and the way he is, he's just a phenomenal guy.''
BIG BUCKS:
Billionaire Donald Trump stood behind the eighth green Sunday, watching several groups go through, and he was acknowledged by several players.
Mark O'Meara noticed him, and after hooking his tee shot on No. 9 into the left trees, walked over to the real estate tycoon.
``How you hittin' 'em?'' O'Meara asked.
``Pretty good,'' Trump said.
``You'd probably beat me today,'' said O'Meara, who finished his Masters defense with a 6-over-par 78.
HOOTIE MOVE?:
The MCI Classic, which begins Thursday at Harbour Town Golf Links, could have a different look next year, according to The Savannah Morning News.
Tournament officials have begun negotiations that could result in relocating the Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Pro-Am from Columbia to Harbour Town. The popular charity tournament, which has attracted many of the PGA Tour's top players in its first five years, would be played at Harbour Town on the Monday preceding the Heritage and would play a part in changing the atmosphere at and attention paid to Hilton Head Island's tour event.
The fifth event will be held today at The University Club in Columbia. Hootie and The Blowfish will wrap up the pro-am with a concert tonight at Township Auditorium in Columbia. Call (803) 251-2222 for tournament tickets, which are $15, and concert tickets, which are $25.50.
``My understanding is they would also do a free concert and all the proceeds would go to the Heritage Classic Foundation,'' said MCI tournament director Steve Wilmot, who was contacted by organizers of the Monday After the Masters Pro-Am in Augusta and has been in touch since. The event almost was moved to Harbour Town for this year's Heritage, but the band was busy touring and promoting a new album.
``The impact on our bottom line,'' said Wilmot, ``would be about $300,000, meaning we could give away $1 million to charity.''
Kiawah Island and Myrtle Beach also have contacted the pro-am organizers and are interested in hosting if it moves. The main holdup could be the band's steadfast allegiance to Columbia, where its members met as students at the University of South Carolina and still live.
Monday at the Masters organizers say they expect a decision by late summer.
CHARITY:
Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Hootie Johnson announced Sunday that the club will make $2.9 million in charitable contributions.
That total includes payments made for current year donations and long-term commitments previously announced.
Masters notebook