Etihad pilot carries the bag for Dufner after caddie unable to travel
After blocking in a week of leave to watch this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, Brian Mullen, a pilot for Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, was hitting a few balls on the practice range at Abu Dhabi Golf Club last Monday when he got the news he had been waiting for. Jason Dufner, the world number 11, had arrived in the emirate minus regular caddie Kevin Baile, who was unable to travel. “I was down here mooching around and the organisers came and grabbed me,” said Mullen, who hails from Dublin, Ireland. “They told me Jason Dufner didn’t have a caddie and asked if I’d carry his bag.”
Having carried bags for Spaniards Carlos Rodilles and Jose Manuel Lara at previous Championships, Mullen didn’t hesitate. “I’d already said I was available if anybody needed a caddie and, yeah, it’s been unbelievable.”
With Dufner putting in steady rounds of 71, 69 and 72, Mullen, an Abu Dhabi Golf Club member who plays off plus one, has been impressed. “He’s a quality golfer and it’s not often you get the chance to caddie for a player like Jason. He’s a nice guy, very down-to-earth and unaffected. I thought I could play golf until I saw these guys – it’s a big gap.”
Despite knowing the National Course inside-out, Mullen revealed he’s chosen only a few moments to impart words of wisdom. “We’ve chatted on the way around. He’s a quiet sort of guy. He does his thing, I do mine. I don’t want to say too much so just wait until you’re spoken to, that sort of thing. I’d have to be pretty confident to tell him he was lining something up wrong.”
With Baile still stuck Stateside, Mullen revealed the prospect of a pay day – caddies traditionally earn a percentage of a player’s winnings – hadn’t crossed his mind. “We haven’t even discussed that,” said the 52-year-old bagman. “It’s just a pleasure to caddie for him.”
Either way, Baile’s regular job is safe as Mullen has no designs on a full-time gig. “No chance, flying airplanes is much easier!”
For his part, Dufner, who has endeared himself to Abu Dhabi galleries with his pre-swing waggle and deadpan humour, is happy with the man by his side. “He’s standing upright, walking forwards and hasn’t kicked my ball or any of that stuff – he’s been helping me out with all the basic things of being a caddie. He’s inside the ropes and enjoying the week,” said the American.
