Force behind Luke Donald

By Rob Hodgetts

Christian (left) and Luke Donald have worked together since 2001

Little brothers are annoying. Everyone knows that. But imagine being employed by one. Thought not.

Well, one man is who is in the pay of his younger sibling - and doing very well, thank you - is Christian Donald.

The squirt in question, six year's Christian's junior, is 29-year-old Luke Donald. He's ranked as the ninth best golfer in the world and will fly the flag as Britain's number one going into the Open at Carnoustie.

Christian, a former club pro himself, is Luke's caddie. So we asked him what it was like.

Working for Luke Being a caddie Own ambitions Playing Luke for cash Nerve-wracking moments

Carnoustie chances Major prospects Superstitions Caddie camaraderie Partying on Tour

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How do you find working for Luke?

It's quite easy really because he's a good player. And I love golf. I decided I could either continue being a club pro [at Burnham Beeches and Harleyford] or do something different. There are not many opportunities in life where one of your siblings gets on the PGA Tour.

I know I don't have the talent, so if you can't beat them, join them Christian Donald

We spoke about it in 2001 and said, 'well, it might not work but let's try it'. There was a time after about three months when we didn't get on very well because we were spending too much time with each other, I didn't know anyone, we were rooming together, living together and working together.

It was a bit of a rocky period but we got through that and once I got to know a few people, did my own thing and learned how everything works, there was no problem.

But he's your boss. He could sack you....

It's not a feeling of 'he's up there and I'm down there'. It's just two brothers working towards a goal.

It can be lonely on Tour, especially when you first go out there, so it's nice to have someone to relate to and I'm there to support him. We were very close growing up. We were the two youngest [they have an older brother and sister] and were the only two who really played golf, so we spent a lot of time together on the course.

Team Donald have climbed to ninth in the world

A lot of people say, 'Aren't you jealous?' - I'm not. It's not a thing in me, jealously, so I suppose it works. He just has something that I don't have. I'm sure a lot of brothers can't do it for that reason. They feel envious, but I see it the other way - I've got a chance to do something I love. I know I don't have the talent, so if you can't beat them, join them.

We do live in the same building in Chicago but we try to keep our distance a little bit. Of course, sometimes we feel we're around each other too much and there's times when we feel a bit sick and tired of each other but otherwise we're fine. The more time we have apart, the better we get on.

It's a pretty professional relationship. I'm earning a good living and I make sure it works. [So far this year Luke has won more than $2m in America alone - a caddie is very roughly on 10%. You do the math]

How do you approach the role?

Luke gets a little impatient if things do not quite go according to plan, but I try to be intelligent and make sure everything is right.

I know when to say, 'Luke, you're being an idiot' Christian Donald

I've always been interested in psychology and I've read quite a few books on the subject, but Luke is very good at managing himself around the golf course. He's got a good feel for club selection. I'm there to keep a track of the wind and I'm a sort of back-up advisor.

The secret is knowing when to say things and when not to. Being a brother, I know when to shut up and when to say, 'Luke, you're behaving like an idiot', and he listens to that. There's a respect from both us.

We're very different people and I think that's why it works. I'm a little more outgoing and Luke's a little quieter and more introverted. I'm more laid back, he's more intense, and the combination works well.

We're not only brothers but good friends. Maybe that's the way we've been brought up, to respect each other.

How would you assess Luke's prospects at Carnoustie?

His Open record isn't great [missed cuts from 2002-2004, 52nd in 2005, 35th in 2006] but he hasn't played terribly, it just hasn't gone his way. In British Opens you can get a bit unlucky and get bad bounces and run into bunkers.

The harder the course, the more relaxed he is because he knows par is a good score Christian Donald

He was great at links golf as an amateur. He used to hit the ball a lot lower, now he hits it higher, and has just become very attuned to American-style golf courses.

But there's something about this course. It's not tricked up and it's pretty straightforward. You need to hit it straight down the middle and the greens are fairly flat. There are no tricks to it, and I have a good feeling about this week, especially if it doesn't get too bouncy and hard.

Luke's strength is controlling his distance with his irons. Out here, you can't hit it five yards short of the pin and stop it. The ball runs on, and there's an element of luck - you might hit a downslope - so it takes a bit of his skill out.

He really wants to win the Open and in the past has probably just been trying a bit too hard. But he's become a lot better player in the last two or three years.

He's 29 now, he's maturing, he's more patient and he's realising you don't have to press so hard to win these things.

So, which major is Luke most suited to then?

Everyone says the US Open but the major he's done best at is the one people say he's least suited to, which is the Masters. It may be because he goes under the radar. People look to the likes of Paul Casey from Britain because they hit it long.

606: DEBATE Can Luke Donald win the Open?

You have to hit it straight at the US Open and Luke does that pretty well. He's very good at hanging in there and grinding out pars. He's not the sort of golfer who will shoot seven or eight under often.

In fact he's more likely to shoot four under on a tough course than eight under on an easy course. He loses his patience on easy courses when you have to hit birdies - he almost tries too hard. The harder the course, the more relaxed he is because he knows par is a good score.

What are your own ambitions?

I love what I do so I'm just staying in the present. I know I'm not good enough to be a player. We're just sort of seeing how it goes, and that's it really.

Luke is perfect to work for. He makes a very good living, he's not up and down in his emotions, so it's a good job with the potential to get even better.

Do you still play golf together?

Yes, but I don't think he gives me enough shots. He gives me three a side [three each on the front nine and back nine] and he usually wins. We play for cash - $100-200.

Sometimes I get a bit moody because he keeps taking money off me but then he's playing all the time and I'm not. I think I should get at least four shots on each side, given the difficulty of the courses he plays.

He's probably a plus eight and I'm probably off about four now, so strictly speaking, I should get nine shots. Someone once worked out that Tiger Woods' handicap against a normal golfer would be plus 13.

But in other sports we're pretty similar. I can beat him at table tennis, tennis or pool or whatever. And I definitely get more girls. [Luke's now married so this game is over].

What's the most nerve-wracking time you've had together?

I always get nervous at the Ryder Cup. Not necessarily early on, but especially when you're, say, two up with three to play.

Donald beat Chad Campbell 2&1 in the 2006 Ryder Cup singles

In Ireland last year we played Chad Campbell in the singles. We were three up with four to go and then one up with two to play. That was pretty nerve-wracking because our match could have been the one to win it. And Luke really wanted to beat Chad because he had lost to him the previous year.

Probably my most exciting time was the first year at the Masters in 2005 when Luke finished third on his debut. He had an unbelievable back nine. He double-bogeyed the 10th, then went birdie, par, eagle, par, eagle, birdie, par, par to come from nowhere, though he never had a chance to win because Tiger and Chris DiMarco were six ahead.

But to do that in your first Masters was a real thrill, especially after watching it on TV for so long. And I got to wear a white suit. I don't mind that. Once a year.

What has been your most embarrassing moment as a caddie?

In the 2003 Open we were playing with Tiger when the strap broke on my bag so I had to carry it like a suitcase. Luckily, I haven't done anything stupid to get him disqualified yet.

Do either of you have any superstitions or habits on the course?

I put coloured dots on the golf balls and Luke doesn't like green. He thinks they're bad luck and thinks he doesn't play well with green dots. I think it's got into his head a bit.

We've also got a couple of Hawaiian-looking golf balls from the Sony Open in there which seem to have brought a bit of luck, so they're staying.

What are the rest of the caddies like?

They're a good bunch. It's changed a lot from 15-20 years ago. It's such a big business now. It's very lucrative and very stressful and players want someone who has a good personality.

The Donald brothers - a study in concentration

The caddies are like a second family for me and Luke definitely hangs out more with the caddies than the players. They're more fun, more laid back and just easier people to talk to.

Our treatment is getting better but we do still get treated like second-class citizens sometimes - not allowed in the clubhouse or served food you wouldn't feed to your dog.

At least in Europe the caddies are allowed in the clubhouse to eat with the players. America is more old school, more in the dark ages.

At the end of the day, the caddie is an advisor and part of the team.

Where's the best place on Tour for parties?

The Byron Nelson in Dallas, definitely. People don't come for the golf, they come for a party. There's a lot of attractive women and it's just a good-time place. Phoenix is another.

But the Ryder Cup parties have been unbelievable - the best parties I've ever been to, just brilliant celebrations with players and caddies together. It was a real team feeling of having achieved something together.

Last year the Americans and Europeans mixed in together, there was no animosity. I was just disappointed a few players went to bed early. Luke did OK, Darren Clarke was up late and so was Padraig Harrington. And he doesn't drink.

I can't remember what sort of time Monty stuck around until. I'd drunk a few pints of Guinness that night.

Who are the funniest guys on Tour?

The funniest caddie is definitely Grant Berry, who works for Carl Pettersson. He should be a stand-up.

Pettersson is a funny guy

He was at Luke's wedding in Greece recently and we said he should just hire himself out as a wedding jester.

Of the players, Sergio Garcia - Luke's best mate along with Simon Dyson - is a good laugh and David Howell has a very good dry sense of humour. Monty can be quite funny as well, and Carl Pettersson is also very funny.

And finally, I've always wanted to know this, who travels with the clubs?

I make sure Luke doesn't hurt his back - it's in my interest, so I won't let him carry suitcases or golf clubs.

Most golfers have injuries getting suitcases out of cars. We've been lucky. In six years Luke has only pulled out of one tournament with an injury. That was when he tried to tie his shoe laces standing up and pulled a muscle in his back.