Lydia Ko’s caddie had a uniform change Thursday at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic.
Lydia Ko’s caddie earns ‘No. 1’ bib
Lydia Ko’s not the only member of her team receiving well-deserved attention for her new status as the top-ranked golfer on the women’s tour, as Ko’s caddie, Jason Hamilton, gets a new ‘No. 1’ bib.
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In honor of his employer’s ascension to the world top ranking -- becoming the youngest golfer of either gender to reach the top spot -- Jason Hamilton stripped off the looper’s white bib he had been wearing so he could don a green one denoting Ko’s new status.
“We have to have an official changing of the bib,” LPGA commission Mike Whan said during a brief ceremony before Ko teed off with Jessica Korda and Mo Martin in her first round since Saturday’s Coates Golf Championship finale, when she surpassed Inbee Park as the Rolex Rankings frontrunner. “As the world No. 1-ranked player in the world, you’ll be wearing the Rolex No. 1-ranking bib.”
The brief ceremony, which happens each time there’s a changing of the guard, is the tour’s way of providing additional incentive for players to achieve top billing, according to Nicklaus Parker, tour media coordinator.
Hamilton had been on the bag for Yani Tseng during her dominant stretch as world No. 1. But while wearing the bib adorned with an oversized “1” may have been old hat for him, Ko got a kick out of it.
“He had the green bib with Yani before, so he’s used to it more than me,” said Ko. “But that was really cool. It was in this black, very professional little case. You know, it was really cool, and it was great that the commish could present it to Jason. A very special moment.”
Too bad the PGA Tour has no such celebration. Who wouldn’t have loved to see Steve Williams rip the caddie garb from Joe LaCava’s torso when Adam Scott deposed Tiger Woods from atop the men’s golf rankings last May?
Of course, Hamilton may not want to get too comfy in that new pinny. With Park getting off to a 5-under 68 start, T2 start -- just one shot back of clubhouse leader Brooke Pancake -- and Ko 1-under through five holes, there may be another bib-change after this week’s tourney. Ko maintained an ever-so-slight 9.70-9.67 advantage in Rolex Rankings points over Park as festivities began Thursday.
