Who Is Cheyenne Knight's Caddie?
Knight has two LPGA Tour victories and was a captain's pick for the 2023 US Solheim Cup team
Cheyenne Knight has her father Gene to thank for falling in love with the game they both enjoyed together in the professional's early years growing up in Texas.
So it is probably no surprise that Gene was his daughter's early caddie as she progressed in the game via a distinguished amateur career playing Texas state golf before going to the University of Alabama.
But since turning pro and forging a successful career on the LPGA Tour, Knight switched to Brian Mahoney, who used to work on the PGA Tour, before more recently teaming up with experienced bagman Chad Payne.
Knight has also described having a 'second caddie' watching over her from above after losing her older brother Brandon Burgett, who died in a car accident at just 20 years old in July 2008. Brandon and his girlfriend were heading home after a concert around midnight when their vehicle was struck by a drunk driver, who was on the wrong side of the road.
But while Brandon remains a huge inspiration to Knight, Payne is the person charged with carrying her clubs and helping her with yardages on the course and reading putts.
Payne, from Columbus, Ohio, is an experienced American caddie in the women's game after also working with Mika Miyazato and Jin Joo Hong.
He previously studied Athletic Training at The Ohio State University and went to Bellefontaine High School but can now be found by Knight's side.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
The pair have teamed up well to help earn Knight a 2023 captain's pick for Stacy Lewis' Team USA after the pro took her career earnings to over $2million this year.
It includes a payday of $328,115 in July at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. With a final round 65 and 72-hole score of 257, Knight earned her second career victory after winning the 2019 Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America.
James Nursey is a freelance contributor to Golf Monthly after spending over 20 years as a sports reporter in newspapers. During a 17-year career with the Daily Mirror, he covered mainly football but reported from The Open annually and also covered a Ryder Cup and three US Opens. He counts a pre-tournament exclusive with Justin Rose at Merion in 2013 as one of his most memorable as the Englishman went on to win his first Major and later repeated much of the interview in his winner’s speech. Now, after choosing to leave full-time work in newspapers, James, who is a keen single-figure player, is writing about golf more. His favourite track is the Old Course after attending St Andrews University but has since played mainly at Edgbaston, where he is on the honours board. He is an active member of the Association of Golf Writers and Press Golfing Society but his favourite round is playing the game with his children. James is currently playing: Driver: Ping G400 3 wood: Ping i20 Hybrid: Ping i20 Irons: Ping i500 4-SW Wedges: Ping Glide forged 50, 56 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: Titleist ProVI
-
DP World Tour Rookie Hit With Slow Play Penalty On First Pro Start
Jacob Skov Olesen was handed a one-shot penalty for slow play at the Australian PGA Championship in what was his very first start as a professional
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
LPGA Tour Announces 2025 Schedule
The 2025 LPGA Tour season will have two new events including a visit to Mexico, while the biennial International Crown returns
By Mike Hall Published
-
Anyone From Nelly Korda To 60th-Place Carlota Ciganda Can Win The Biggest Check In Women's Golf History This Week - Here's Why
The LPGA Tour season culminates in the CME Globe Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club this week - and an $11 million total prize purse is on the line
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Lexi Thompson Says She ‘May Tee It Up A Few Times Next Year’ As She Prepares To Retire From Full-Time Professional Golf
The American has revealed she might play a limited schedule next year as she prepares for life beyond a full-time professional schedule
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Just Think It Really Drags The Game Down' - LPGA Tour Stars Weigh In On Slow Play Debate
Nelly Korda is one of the players who has given her thoughts on the issue of slow play on the LPGA Tour after Charley Hull suggested a brutal idea to kill the issue
By Mike Hall Published
-
CME Group Tour Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Nelly Korda heads the field as players compete for one of the largest purses in the history of the women’s game
By Mike Hall Published
-
Women’s NCAA Division I Champion Adela Cernousek Turns Pro
Texas A&M's Adela Cernousek has announced she is turning professional, with a place in the final stage of LPGA Tour Q-Series on the horizon
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘I Feel Sorry For The Fans' - Charley Hull Proposes Brutal Idea To 'Kill' Slow Play
After pointing out that her third round at The Annika took close to six hours, the World No.11 suggested an idea which could greatly reduce slow play on tour
By Jonny Leighfield Published