“They Weren’t Mean, But He’s Mean”: Vijay Singh’s Former Caddie Reveals What Working With Him Was Like
The American Family Insurance Championship Day 1 Vijay Singh watches his tee shot from hole 2 during round 1 of The American Family Insurance Championship at TPC Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, on June 6. Madison Wisconsin United States PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xRossxHarriedx originalFilename:harried-theameri250606_npNQt.jpg
The American Family Insurance Championship Day 1 Vijay Singh watches his tee shot from hole 2 during round 1 of The American Family Insurance Championship at TPC Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, on June 6. Madison Wisconsin United States PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xRossxHarriedx originalFilename:harried-theameri250606_npNQt.jpg
Kip Henley, winner of Golf Channel’s The Big Break II, appeared on GOLF’s Subpar podcast on January 13 and shared firsthand stories from his time caddying for Vijay Singh.
Henley spoke about what the experience was like working alongside the former world No. 1 on Tour. The 65-year-old caddie stated that working for Vijay Singh during an off week meant far more hours than he was used to, calling it “infinite” compared to other players.
However, that experience taught him what discipline really looks like, because even though he considered himself someone who practiced a lot, Singh’s work ethic was on another level.
Henley added that Singh could be difficult to work for because he was tough on people. He said on the podcast, “That’s why I always got along great with Colt. And I lasted 10 years with Brian Gay because they weren’t mean. But he’s mean.”
Sport Bilder des Tages Sport Bilder des Tages August 7, 2022, Calgary, AB, CANADA: Fiji s Vijay Singh hits from a sand trap during the PGA, Golf Herren Tour Champions Shaw Charity Classic golf event in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Vijay Singh PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAc35_ 20220807_zaf_c35_054 Copyright: xJeffxMcintoshx
Sport Bilder des Tages Sport Bilder des Tages August 7, 2022, Calgary, AB, CANADA: Fiji s Vijay Singh hits from a sand trap during the PGA, Golf Herren Tour Champions Shaw Charity Classic golf event in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Vijay Singh PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY - ZUMAc35_ 20220807_zaf_c35_054 Copyright: xJeffxMcintoshx
Henley admitted Singh “cut you to the bone every day,” but added that working for him was still the best experience he ever had as a caddie.
Vijay Singh practice during an off week and used one specific shot to show how Singh approached his work.
Singh set up in a fairway bunker about 10 yards from the green, with a five-foot lip in front of him. It was a shot that required clean contact and exact control to clear the lip and stop the ball on the putting surface.
Henley said Singh kept raking the ball into position and striking shot after shot cleanly without even watching where it landed, hitting around 30 in a row without thin or fat contact.
He believed people underestimate how good Singh was, and added that if Singh had been an average putter, “he’d have won them all.”
Kip Henley and Vijay Singh Shared Success During Their Player-Caddie Partnership
Kip Henley began caddying for Vijay Singh in March 2017, shortly before that year’s Masters. However, the partnership didn’t last long, ending in May 2017 after The Players Championship.
Even in that short span, they had results to show. In April 2017, Singh won the PGA Tour Champions team event, the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge, alongside Carlos Franco, with Henley on his bag.
Then, at The Players Championship in May 2017, Singh finished tied for 16th, which stood as his best PGA Tour result of the season.
So, it can be safely said that Henley provided Singh with the best service despite whatever he feels about him.
Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Souvik Roy