A heartwarming moment took place at the Canadian Open in Hamilton as a fan stepped in to caddie for a professional golfer.
During the second round of the tournament, golfer David Hearn found himself without a caddie after his regular caddie fell ill. With no one to carry his clubs and provide guidance, Hearn was facing a difficult situation.
However, a fan in the crowd, identified as Evan Van Moerkerke, stepped up to the challenge and offered to caddie for Hearn. Van Moerkerke, who is a member at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, had been following Hearn’s group and noticed the caddie-less situation.
Without hesitation, Van Moerkerke grabbed Hearn’s bag and joined him on the course. Despite not having any prior experience as a caddie, Van Moerkerke proved to be a valuable asset for Hearn.
“He was great. He was very calm, very collected. He gave me some great reads on the greens,” Hearn said of Van Moerkerke’s performance.
The impromptu caddie also received praise from Hearn’s fellow golfers, with Adam Hadwin calling him a “hero” and Corey Conners saying he was “awesome.”
Van Moerkerke’s caddying skills were put to the test as Hearn made a charge up the leaderboard, finishing the round with a 4-under 66. The duo even shared a fist bump and a hug after Hearn sank a birdie putt on the 18th hole.
For Van Moerkerke, the experience was a dream come true. “I’ve always wanted to caddie in a PGA Tour event and I got to do it today,” he said.
Hearn, who missed the cut at the Canadian Open, expressed his gratitude towards Van Moerkerke for stepping in and helping him out. “It was a special day. I’ll never forget it,” he said.
The heartwarming moment between Hearn and Van Moerkerke is a reminder of the camaraderie and sportsmanship that exists in the world of golf. It also showcases the power of a simple act of kindness and how it can make a difference in someone’s day.
As the Canadian Open continues, Van Moerkerke’s gesture will surely be remembered as one of the highlights of the tournament.
