In 2005, Australian golfer David Diaz faced a problem. After qualifying for the British Open at St Andrews, he needed a caddie. His solution was an unconventional eBay auction that captured global attention.

Diaz was left without a caddie after his regular assistant was unable to travel to St Andrews due to passport issues. As a result, he listed the caddie role on eBay, describing it as a “lifetime opportunity to caddy at the British Open.”

"I don't need a professional golfer, I just want someone who can carry the bag, pick out the good sorts in the crowd, and just suck it up and enjoy the experience."

The auction was won by London-based investment banker Stephen Bridle, who paid approximately $15,000 for the opportunity. 

According to Bridle, "All my buddies are shouting, ‘Take it, take it!’ So I guess I had to take it... As you would expect, it was nerve-racking."

Stephen Bridle’s Role and Input While Caddying for David Diaz

During the tournament, David Diaz made it clear that decision-making remained his responsibility, while Stephen Bridle focused on carrying the bag and following instructions.

Bridle’s direct input was limited, though he did offer occasional encouragement, recalling one moment when he said, “I told him to putt harder.”

For the most part, Diaz handled yardages and shot choices himself, later stating, “I always do my own yardage. As a golfer, you are in charge of yourself out there.”

However, Diaz failed to make the cut, posting rounds of 74 and 75 to finish at five over par, with an amateur caddie carrying his bag.

Had Diaz gone on to win, Bridle said he would have received the customary 10 per cent share of the £720,000 prize money and donated it to charity.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar