How many shots can a tour caddie save you?

Veteran tour caddie Paul Tesori looped for our writer. Neither will ever see the game the same.

By Shane Ryan

I spent a good three months worrying about all the possible disasters that could derail this experiment. Some days I preemptively cursed the editors who dreamed up the concept: How can a professional caddie help an average player like me, a guy who has broken 80 once in his life?

I worried that I would disappoint Paul Tesori, the veteran, major-winning caddie fool enough to waste his time with me. The day before the experiment, I played Deerwood Country Club in Jacksonville without Tesori and shot a 96 in windy conditions. Based on that result, Tesori thought we could shoot 89 the next day. It became his mission.

I was the doubter, but then something odd happened: With Tesori as my overqualified sherpa, I channeled an ability level that had vanished during the winter and spring. I got hot. By the time we reached 18, I needed a par for 89. Tesori was buzzing. I was buzzing. I stepped up, I swung…