PGA Tour pro C.T. Pan had an eventful final round at the RBC Canadian Open when his caddie, Mike “Fluff” Cowan, slipped and suffered an injury early in the round. Despite the non-serious nature of the injury, Cowan had to step down from Pan’s bag for the rest of the day. A local fan named Paul Emerson stepped in to help Pan finish his round after Cowan’s mishap. Emerson, a self-proclaimed “golf nerd,” was eager to assist Pan, and the golfer graciously accepted his help. Per PGA Tour rules, it was allowed for Emerson to step in as a replacement caddie.
Emerson’s stint as Pan’s caddie was short-lived, as a member of the caddie services team replaced him on the fifth hole once tournament officials were made aware of the situation. Pan continued to experience changes in his bag, recruiting Al Riddell, who regularly caddies for Paul Bargon on the Tour and lived near the course, to assist him on the back nine. Riddell became Pan’s fourth caddie for the day and remained with him until the end of the round. Despite the challenges with his caddies, Pan managed to finish with a 1-under 69 in his final round, including an eagle on Hole 12 that helped him finish 3-under for the tournament.
Pan’s performance in the RBC Canadian Open did not meet his expectations, especially with the unexpected changes in his caddie lineup. However, many individuals stepped up to ensure that he had the support he needed to finish the tournament. Cowan, a legendary PGA Tour caddie with years of experience working with top players like Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods, suffered a setback with his injury during the final round, prompting others like Emerson and Riddell to step in and provide assistance. Despite the challenges, Pan was able to complete his round with the help of these individuals and ultimately finished 3-under for the tournament.
The eventual winner of the RBC Canadian Open was Robert MacIntyre, who secured his first-ever PGA Tour event victory. Pan’s performance in the tournament may not have resulted in a win, but his ability to adapt and overcome challenges with his caddie situation showcased his resilience on the course. The support from Emerson, Riddell, and the caddie services team highlighted the camaraderie and teamwork present in professional golf, where individuals come together to help fellow players in times of need. Despite the unexpected turn of events during the final round, Pan’s determination and the assistance he received from others exemplified the spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity in the golfing community.
