Former Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal broke an ‘unwritten golf rule’ as he was spotted caddying for his nephew Joseba Torres. Olazabal has taken up the unusual role in his native Spain for the final stage of DP World Tour qualifying school, where Torres hit a two-under-par opening round on the Lakes Course in Tarragona. But it was a social media snap of Olazabal that garnered all the attention, with the Basque-born golfer spotted wearing golf shoes while carrying his relative’s bags.
To the untrained eye, it might seem like an innocent observation, but for golfers, their caddies wearing golf shoes is seen as a big no. In fact, the PGA Tour implemented a rule that bans caddies from wearing the footwear while out on the course with their partners. However, given Olazabal is a two-time major winner and former Team Europe Ryder Cup captain, the Spaniard was understandably excused for his fashion faux pas by golf fans.
Fellow golf legend Paul McGinley put it best following the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, saying: "He's our Ollie. We all worship Jose Maria," essentially suggesting Olazabal is free to do as and how he pleases. Nephew Torres is unlikely to care much about his uncle's sartorial choices, given the expertise the latter has been able to pass on to the former during their time on the course together.
Commenting on the prospect of working with Olazabal, the 22-year-old told the DP World Tour: "I've practised with him a lot and to have him on the bag with his exp.