Folks, the rumor mill is once again buzzing intensely in the run-up to the 2026 PGA Championship! No sooner is the major championship vibe in the air than headlines are circulating that a top star might be teeing off without his regular caddie. A real shock moment that has fans looking on in disbelief – after all, the caddie is often half the victory. But wait a minute, what's really going on?
We've taken a closer look for you, and the situation isn't quite as dramatic as it first appears. While media outlets speculate about a caddie travel ban, everything is proceeding as planned for the real top players. Scottie Scheffler, for example, will play as usual with his long-time caddie Ted Scott. So, all clear for the big names! However, there were indeed reports of visa issues for the caddie of recent DP World Tour winner Mikael Lindberg – an annoying setback, but not a story that directly affects the top of the world rankings.
More Than Just Rumors?
This whole caddie discussion also takes us back to the past. Do you remember Fanny Sunesson? In the 90s, she was the woman by Nick Faldo's side when he won The Open and The Masters titles in 1990. Back then, a woman on the green as a caddie was still an absolute exception. She herself said: “I was lucky. Nobody seemed to want a girl as a caddie.” A stark contrast to today, where such scenarios and discrimination, fortunately, are a thing of the past.
Caddies Today: Professionals On and Off the Green
Times have changed. Caddies today are true professionals, often former players themselves who know the game inside and out. Women on the bag are no longer a rarity – just think of Alison Walshe, who was on the bag for Keegan Bradley. While the logistics surrounding the majors are still a challenge, actual travel bans in 2026 are more the exception than the rule. So, we can look forward to a PGA Championship with many familiar faces battling it out fiercely on the green!
