Golf/European Open: The apprentice tried to remain inconspicuous, but it's virtually impossible to hide when you're 6ft 4in and sport one of the most instantly recognisable faces in Ireland, John O'Sullivan at The K Club.
Niall Quinn was nervous, as was manifest in his expression and the manner in which he absently fiddled with the clubs.
At 7.40 a.m. yesterday, there weren't too many souls to witness his debut as a European Tour caddie, inveigled, through a phone call, to take the bag of Philip Walton. In fairness to the former Ryder Cup hero, he did cut Quinn some slack. He didn't ask him to hump a pro bag, rather a smaller version complete with shoulder straps and a two-prong stand.
"I took the easy way out and showed my medical card that says I have a bad back, so they let me off," Quinn laughed.
The former Republic of Ireland soccer international was reflecting on a morning that had seen "his man" shoot a two-over-par 74, and on the insight gained from being on the other side of the ropes.
"I was a bit nervous beforehand but once the ball went off the first tee, that was it: game-on then. I was trying to get into it and give him as much help as possible. I don't whether I succeeded."
He went pretty close and shot two over, but no way was it a two-over round. He lipped the hole six times and forced one or two near the end to try to get back under par.
"I didn't mind 50,000 people screaming abuse at me (his soccer days), I can handle that, but I didn't want to make a mistake (here). I didn't want to let Philip down. There was an added bit of pressure with Mark McNulty playing so well, he was the leader for a long time and the cameras were following him. He (McNulty) was a super guy, as was (David) Carter, they were really kind to me and helped me out."
An "honest 10 handicap", he can play the game and Walton invited him to look over a few lines on the greens. He also chased and replaced divots, attended the flagstick, checked the yardage book. At times it was difficult to discern who was more concerned, Walton or Quinn, with the latter's earnest expression and mannerisms betraying the intensity with which he embraced his new employment.
No caddie had ever been included as much in the players' conversation. Carter asked for Quinn's take on the David Beckham transfer to Real Madrid. But this "preferential" treatment didn't alienate him with the professional toters. "The caddies were great to me. I felt a bit of an intruder there on practice day. It's a wonderful mini-circus. It's like showbusiness comes to The K Club this week. It's a wonderful world that I had the privilege of having a sneak insight into.
"It's definitely not a career move but I'm delighted to give Philip a hand. When he rang I thought he was having a laugh, or maybe just for the pro-am, but he said no, let's do it for the few days, and hopefully it'll be another three.
"Certainly if he hits the ball as well tomorrow, (manages) a small little adjustment with the putter, we'll be around and try to shoot up the leaderboard."
Quinn did a decent job, and even allowing for any latitude Walton would have afforded him on minor errors, there were two other people in the threeball. Against that backdrop, Quinn acquitted himself well and today will probably feel a little more attuned to the task.
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