Who Is Justin Rose’s Caddie? Meet Mark 'Fooch' Fulcher

Justin Rose turned professional in 1998 and has gone on to enjoy a wonderful career that has included a US Open win in 2013, an Olympic golf gold medal in 2016, and a stint as World No.1 in 2018.

Along the way, the Englishman - who was born in South Africa - has enjoyed the company of several excellent caddies including Gareth Lord, David Clark, and Josh Cassell.

But the man who previously spent 11 years as Rose's looper has returned to one of the most recognizable partnerships anywhere on tour.

Between 2008 and 2019, Mark 'Fooch' Fulcher caddied for Rose as the Englishman went from strength to strength in his career, lifting nine PGA Tour titles, five DP World Tour trophies, and his sole Major at Merion.

Rose and Fulcher also worked together at five Ryder Cups during that time, too, including the Miracle of Medinah in 2012 when the 25-time pro winner beat Phil Mickelson in a pivotal singles match.

A memorable moment in the partnership arrived about midway through their first stint together, at the 2014 Open Championship, when Fulcher accidentally left Rose's gamer driver at home in Bedford and needed someone to drive it the 190-odd miles up to Hoylake.

Given the looper's error was noticed by Rose so late before round one, the former World No.1 had to make do without it until a few holes into his round. Fortunately for Fulcher, Rose's game plan did not actually require the big stick until the seventh and the 2013 US Open champion found the incident quite funny.

Explaining the situation after a level par round which Rose described as "a waste of five hours" at the time, the Englishman said: “A couple of Fooch’s mates were going to receive a driver each. But I picked up my bag I noticed straight away that there was a driver in the wrong spot in my bag. Plus, it had the wrong shaft, so I knew that it should have been given to someone else. Mine had actually been handed to that person and driven to Bedford.

“You have to see the funny side. We knew the guy was coming straight back with it, and that I would have it by the time I really needed it, towards the seventh and the back nine. The way the course was playing, I knew that I wasn’t going to require the driver for a good couple of hours into my round.”

Despite the odd embarrassing moment, the pair would have no doubt continued into the 2020s, but Fulcher was advised to take an indefinite leave from caddying following heart surgery in 2019.

In a social media post at the time, Rose said: "After an amazing 11 years with Fooch, our successful run together has finished for now, as Fooch is required to take an indefinite leave of absence from caddying to focus on his health and well being after the heart procedure earlier this year.

"He has been medically advised that a further period of recuperation is required. I wish him all the best as he works on getting 100% fit and healthy. I also have no doubts that we will stride up a 72nd hole late on a Sunday afternoon together in the future."

Rose only triumphed once during the intervening period - winning the 2023 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - before Fulcher's health improved to a point where he felt he could return to the day job.

After Dame Laura Davies' former bagman enjoyed brief spells with Francesco Molinari, Paul Casey on LIV, and Billy Horschel, Fulcher reunited with his long-time friend ahead of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone - an event at which Rose holed a crucial putt at the end of day one to maintain Team Europe's momentum.

Their first event back together on course was the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in September 2023, with Fulcher going on to join Rose and the rest of Team Europe in scouting missions at the Italian course later that month.

Speaking to Today's Golfer about the move back ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, Rose said: "We were together for so long and had the appropriate amount of time apart as well, you know.

"We both had the opportunity to go and do different things, experience different things and learn, then come back together with the previous ten or eleven years done and dusted and with a new goal of seeing what else we can achieve.

"We’re not trying to rekindle anything or live up to what’s been in the past because we have new challenges and it should be fun.”

Meanwhile, Fulcher admitted it was an "easy decision to make" once Rose has suggested working together again.

He said: “I hadn’t thought about it at all, but as soon as we spoke it was an easy decision to make. Not only is he my boss but he’s very close to my heart, too, and if we can enjoy a couple more special moments together on the course then it’ll be well worth it.”

Fulcher was born on April 7, 1965 and grew up in England before joining Rose's team in 2008 and eventually moving out to America. He supports Arsenal FC and is married to Adrienne. The couple, who live in Palm Beach Gardens, have two dogs called Milly and Rio.