Long-time PGA Tour caddie Mike (Fluff) Cowen was being treated at the clubhouse at Hamilton Golf & Country Club on Sunday for “non-serious injuries,” according to the Golf Channel, after slipping and falling during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open.
Cowen, 76, has been on the bag for PGA Tour veteran C.T. Pan since the WM Phoenix Open in February. He was working again this week on the hilly course 50 miles outside of Toronto, which was made even treacherous to get around on Sunday with light rain falling during play. The combination appeared to cause Cowen to fall on the third hole.
Video showed Cowen shaken although it was unclear the extent of any injuries he might have suffered.
After getting up, Cowen tried to soldier on but was eventually taken for evaluation. A fan was plucked from the crowd to work for Pan the remainder of the hole. (The Rules of Golf allow for a change of caddie at any time although a player cannot have more than one caddie at a time and cannot change caddies temporarily for the sole reason of getting advice from a new caddie.)
That first fan was subsequently replaced by a member of the caddie services team at the tournament one hole later. Meanwhile, Canadian journalist Adam Stanley reported that Pan’s wife, Michelle, was getting a stand bag ready and was going to help on the back nine. Michelle has previously caddied for her husband on tour.
Ultimately, though, according to Stanley, Alex Riddell, who caddies for Paul Barjon and lives in Hamilton, came out to carry Pan’s bag for the conclusion of the round.
Cowan began his pro caddie career in 1976 with Ed Sabo. After two years with Sabo he enjoyed two decades with Peter Jacobsen before moving to Tiger Woods in 1996. Woods and Cowan were together for Woods’ record-setting 1997 Masters victory.