A text arrived last week while Dan Quinn was keeping an eye on things at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where his friend and sometime employer Ernie Els was on his way to a second victory this year on the PGA Tour.
Quinn, a former NHL hockey player and avid golfer who has scored a part-time gig on Els’ bag, read the message from Els more than once, letting it sink in.
It basically told him to carve out some time this week for an impromptu practice round at Augusta National.
“That sort of stood my hair up, to be honest,” Quinn said.
It has raised a few eyebrows among golf observers, too.
Quinn, 44, has never caddied at the home of the Masters and will make his rookie tournament journey around the course next week when Els, 40, will be among the favorites to claim his fourth major championship.
Meanwhile, Ricci Roberts, 46, Els’ caddie for most of the past 18 years — and the man carrying the bag for both of his victories in Florida this year — will be back home in England watching the proceedings on television.
If it seems strange, well, it is. But it is part of a plan that has been in place since before the beginning of the year.
Full story: The Masters: Despite wins, Ernie Els to switch caddies for Augusta – ESPN