If Open qualifier Luis Masaveu feels nervous at Royal Troon this week – which you assume he will be at some point – he’ll be able to count on his caddie for some comforting words and advice.
The Spaniard, who came through a tense three-for-one playoff at Royal Cinque Ports, has his coach on the bag, a man who just happens to have won seven times on the DP World Tour.
That man is fellow countryman, Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño, who coaches Masaveu as part of the Spanish national team set-up.
Masaveu, who is one of 12 amateurs in The Open field this week, claimed the final spot on offer at Final Qualifying after sinking a 20-footer for birdie at the second playoff hole, which denied South Africa’s Branden Grace a space.
It was an incredible achievement, especially given that he was playing with an old set of clubs and was without his 3-wood after his back got lost following a tournament in Denmark.
The 21-year-old has represented Spain in the last two Eisenhower Trophy World Championships and lifted the Portuguese Amateur title this year, as well as reaching the final of the Spanish Amateur.
Two years ago, the Madrid golfer finished 34th at the Spanish Open, and he clearly has a bright future, one that Fernández-Castaño hopes to be able to shape in some form.
Fernández-Castaño, a former Italian Open and British Masters champion, last won on the DP World Tour at the BMW Masters in 2013, but the 43-year-old remains as competitive as ever.
The Madrid man’s best ever Open finish came at The Open in 2009, whilst his best Major Championship finish is tied tenth, which he recorded at the 2013 US Open.
With some 336 DP World Tour appearances to his name, ‘Gonzo’, who co-hosts a YouTube show called Golf sin Etiquetas, is sure to be a big help to a player who’s making his debut in golf’s oldest Major Championship.
Masaveu, who finished joint runner-up in last season's Lytham Trophy, is currently ranked 34th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The final men's Major of the season gets underway at Royal Troon in South Ayrshire on Thursday.
-
Watch: World No.1 Scottie Scheffler Hits Shank At Tour ChampionshipScheffler had his march towards the title checked by an uncharacteristic error from a bunker in the final round of the East Lake tournament
-
Every LET Order Of Merit Winner Since 1979The LET Order of Merit has been awarded to the top player on the circuit since 1979 - here is who has won it over the years
-
'I'd A Great Chance Of Winning This Open' - Shane Lowry Admits Troon Near Miss Will 'Hurt'Shane Lowry thought he'd be heading back to Royal Portrush next year as Open champion again as he felt he was playing well enough to win at Troon
-
'It's Something I've Always Wanted' - Xander Schauffele Reveals Grand Slam Ambition After Open VictoryXander Schauffele says he's always had an eye on winning a career Grand Slam even before he became a quick-fire double Major champion
-
'Nonsense. That's Links Golf Courses' - Paul McGinley Says Shane Lowry Will 'Regret' Open Set-Up CommentsThe Golf Channel analyst labelled Lowry's call to have a couple of tees pushed forward on Saturday "nonsense" after the 2019 Open Champion was mildly critical of how the R&A had set Royal Troon up in bad weather
-
Watch The Moment World No.1 Scottie Scheffler Tops A Tee Shot At The OpenThe American had a moment to forget on the final hole of The Open at Royal Troon
-
‘I Just Looked At It As A Normal Sunday Of A Normal Golf Tournament’ - Thriston Lawrence Explains ‘Calm’ Mindset To Finish Fourth At The OpenThe South African admitted he was far from overawed at the occasion as he claimed his best-ever finish at a Major with fourth at The Open
-
‘I Left It All Out There’ - Justin Rose Admits ‘Choking Back Tears’ After Close Call At The OpenThe Englishman's wait for a second Major championship goes on after he finished in a tie for second alongside Billy Horschel at Royal Troon
-
Billy Horschel 'Disappointed' Despite Best Ever Major Finish At The OpenDespite a three-under-par final round, the American left Royal Troon 'disappointed' after finishing two strokes behind fellow countryman, Xander Schauffele
-
Xander Schauffele Reveals Caddie Told Him He 'Was About To Puke' On 18th On Way To Open WinThe Open champion has admitted his caddie Austin Kaiser was struggling to keep it together as Schauffele closed in on the Claret Jug
