Further tales of mischief from the Firestone caddieshack, this time during the World Series of 1998 when, prior to the third round, Fred Couples suddenly said to his caddie, Joe LaCava: "I've had enough of you. Why don't you go find another job for today."

As it happened, Nick Price was also preparing to tee off and on the spur of the moment, he and Couples decided to switch caddies. "It was weird because Nick was off in about four minutes," recalled Price's caddie, Jimmy Johnson, last weekend.

But the swap worked. Couples shot 65; Price a 68. And afterwards, Couples turned to Johnson and said: "All right Jimmy, I'll see you tomorrow."

It was the following morning before the caddies discovered it was all a big joke. With bruised egos, they reclaimed their old bags. "Jimmy didn't speak to me for a week," recalled Price of Johnson, who has been with him for five years. La Cava, meanwhile, is in his 11th year with Couples.

RYDER CUP COUNTDOWN . . . Which players achieved a 100 per cent record in two or more matches in the tournament? Answer at bottom of column.