On The Bag: The Caddie's Crucial Call at Colonial
Sometimes, the difference between victory and runner-up isn't a swing, but the advice given before it. Let's look at Colonial.
Marcus Santana · Founder & Lead Tester, Homie Golf · July 31, 2026
Original reporting & analysis · Homie Golf Tour desk
At the Colonial tournament, a pivotal caddie-golfer conversation on the 72nd hole showcased how crucial course management and strategic caddie advice are to winning. It's a prime example of collaboration under pressure sealing a victory.
The setup
The final round at Colonial, 2018. Tony Finau and Justin Rose are tied going into the 72nd hole, the par-4 18th. Rose is in the clubhouse with a score, Finau is playing the last hole. Finau hits a perfect drive, leaving him 150 yards to a back-right flag location. It's a standard wedge distance. The pin is tucked precariously close to the water on the right, and a bunker guards the front. The adrenaline is pumping, the crowd is buzzing. It looks like a clear shot at the flag, but the margin for error is razor-thin. This is the moment for a hero shot, or a smart shot.
What happened
Finau’s caddie, Joe Skovron, stepped in. I imagine him calmly discussing the shot with Tony – "We don't need a hero, we need a 4. Play to the fat of the green, center-left. Trust your swing, take the water out of play." Finau, to his credit, listened. He aimed for the safe part of the green, hit a beautifully controlled shot, and landed it about 20 feet from the hole, well away from the water. He then two-putted for par, forcing a playoff. Contrast this with other instances I’ve seen where a golfer, fueled by adrenaline, goes for the flag, finds trouble, and drops a shot. The caddie's input here wasn't about the mechanics of the swing, but the strategy of the hole.
What it means
What this tells the golfer at home is simple: ego and aggression aren't always your friends. Sometimes the smartest shot isn't the prettiest, but the one that ensures you don't make a mistake. Your caddie is your course manager, your emotional governor. They see the bigger picture, often better than you do in the heat of the moment. Next time you're on the course, whether with a friend or by yourself, take a moment. Pretend a smart, strategic caddie is in your ear. Think about the percentage play, not just the spectacular one. Avoid the big miss, and you'll often find yourself in a much better position to save par, or even make a birdie. Trust the process, and sometimes, that means trusting the safe route.
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