Lee Westwood’s caddy, Billy Foster, talks Sergio, Spieth and Seve

Billy Foster spoke exclusively to 888sport at the start of the season. As the players prepare for the US PGA Championship, we see what he had to say.

On Tiger never dominating again, what it’s like caddying for the former World Number One and the advice he would give him now
“He’s been a great champion and he’s a fantastic golfer but he’s approaching forty and all these young kids are coming through thick and fast. They’re stronger, more powerful and not scared of anybody anymore. That aura from ten or fifteen years ago has gone. He will never dominate golf again like he used to.”
“With Tiger it’s almost like Mike Tyson when he was in his pomp. Often boxers would get in the ring and would be knocked out before a punch was thrown but once Buster Douglas got him the fear factor went with it.”
“He was an absolute gentleman to work for. Everything he said was followed by please or thank you. I ended up having a bit of fun with him and a laugh and a joke. I was very honest with him. I once said ‘You might be Tiger Woods and you might have all the money in the world and be the best golfer in the world but I wouldn’t swap our lives’. Everyone think he’s got a great life but it’s not as a global superstar. You can’t get one minute to yourself without somebody mithering you.”
“I’d tell him certain things about how he goes about…maybe it’s who is coaching him but I’d make sure he had more of a laugh. I think people would like to see him more humble: He looks blinkered at times. Just be more normal and more of a human being. Loosen up a bit.”

On Jordan Speith winning the PGA
“I don’t think you can look past Jordan Spieth the way he’s going. He is a very mature, cool, professional, diligent man who works really hard and does his homework. He’s a good scholar who does all the right things. He is a formidable professional with a fantastic attitude way beyond his years and a short game to die for. He’s going to be around a long, long time.

On Seve Ballesteros 
“He was a very humble man and generous fella. He didn’t throw his money around but with his time for people he was a quality human being.”
“On the course he was a fierce competitor frothing at the mouth like a demented Doberman but off it he was a very gentle and considerate man. A special human being. He would go out of his way to help anyone who was sick or poorly off the course but on it…well it was like Jekyll and Hyde. He was a complex character to a certain degree but a genuine man.”

On Caddying for Sergio Garcia and whether he needs to win a Major to go down as a great
“I found Sergio pretty hard. I love Sergio but on the golf course I find him pretty difficult.”
“He probably does yeah. Any player wants a major under their pillow when they go to sleep.”

Read Billy Foster’s full interview ahead of the PGA Championship at 888sport.com >>