Super Caddy Jonathan brings in the winner

The European Ladies Results on Thursday morning last told the readers that Minjee Lee played in the Omega Moonlight Classic on the Emirates Golf Course in Dubai. They did not tell us however that the caddy who had made her win possible was Jonathan O’Brien, a highly popular member of Charleville Golf Club, and when the news broke it invoked a welter of excitement and many congratulatory messages pouring in to parents John and Marian.
For the complete story we have to roll back the years to when Jonathan commenced playing golf when he was in primary school. He competed in all the Junior Competitions and spent every possible moment at the game. In 2016 he was a popular Junior Captain and enjoyed a handicap of 4. He played in all the major tournaments, the Kerry Boys, Munster Junior and Royal Portrush.
Following his Leaving Certificate he travelled to Chelmscough College Preston to follow a course in Golf Management and graduated last May. As part of his course he enjoyed golf trips to Turkey, Portugal, the Dunhill Competitions and many more. Prior to the outbreak of the Coronavirus he was a caddy in Adare and when this ended with the outbreak he contacted a number of overseas golf courses and was delighted to receive an 8 month internship from the Emirates Golf Course in Dubai.
Minjee Lee, unable to bring her usual caddy, requested one and Jonathan’s manager who was aware of his caddying duties in Adare, asked him if he would like the job. Jonathan was delighted to caddy for the world’s No. 8 player and it was so pleasing to see Minjee requesting his help over the three days and especially the line of her final putt on the 18th Green which she rolled in for a birdie to claim victory.