Caddie with foot problems banned from Augusta National for wearing sandals

Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddie may have a new gig as a pitchman for some sandal company, but Lorne Duncan won’t be hauling the bag for his boss at the Masters this week as was the plan.

Duncan, who helped the U.S. Amateur champion make the cut at last year’s British Open, got the bad news that his footwear, which the 55-year-old Canadian wears instead of loopers’ usual sneakers due to a medical condition, was verboten on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National. This, after Duncan arrived at the course to schlep for Fitzpatrick, who will play the first two rounds in a marquee threesome with reigning Masters champion Adam Scott and 2013 PGA winner Jason Dufner.

Duncan, as one can well imagine, was none too pleased to get the boot from the green jackets and shared his frustrations about the “bright as a post” tournament director on his blog.

“This blog, unfortunately, is coming to a rather abrupt end. I will not be caddying for Matt in the Masters this year,” Duncan typed on Sunday. “I went to speak to the powers that be at Augusta National about alternative foot wear that would allow me to get through the week but my inquires were met with a resounding ‘No’. I spoke to the head person there who is about as bright as a post and about as malleable as one. My feet were so sore after one practice round in runners that I had no alternative but to withdraw my services.”

Duncan later voiced his displeasure on Twitter, where he found support for his travails.

Nothing says “a tradition unlike any other” any better than ridiculous, inflexible rules like this one.

Fitzpatrick, whom Duncan wished well online, booked another veteran bagman, Ricky Elliot, according to reports.