Edinburgh man ready to join Norwegians in 'Viking Row' at Genesis Scottish Open
Tim Poyser back on home soil for first time since becoming PGA Tour winner as a caddie
Tim Poyser helped Kristoffer Reitan pull off a spectacular maiden PGA Tour win earlier this year - and he is now ready to join his Norwegian boss in a Viking Row in East Lothian on Sunday.
Edinburgh man Poyser was on Reitan’s bag as he triumphed in the Truist Championship, one of the $20 million Signature Events on the US circuit, at Quail Hollow in May.
The pair are now in Poyser’s home patch for the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, where Viktor Hovland, another Norwegian to win recently on the PGA Tour, is also in the star-studded line up.
They both enjoyed seeing Norway beat Brazil to reach the quarter-finals in the World Cup in the US, with England next up for Ståle Solbakken’s side on Saturday night.
“Yes, he was already sensing it on the range yesterday,” replied Poyser, smiling, to being asked if Reitan was relishing the prospect of being in a field with lots of English players in it on the East Lothian coast
“There’s only been a little bit of banter with English players and caddies so far, and I am sure that a lot of Scots will be supporting Norway on Saturday night.”
Hovland admitted in his pre-event press conference that he hopes that is indeed the case. “Let's do it on Sunday,” said the Ryder Cup star of the Viking Row, which has been one of the great sights in this World Cup. “That would be great. First tee, we're doing the rowing.”
Poyser, who quit his job in the financial services industry in Edinburgh to become a full-time caddie, is still pinching himself about Reitan landing such a big win in his first season as a PGA Tour card holder.
“To get it done first time after being in contention out there was sensational,” he admitted. “You’ve seen amazing players like Tommy [Fleetwood] take a while to get across the line in the States. So, for Kris to do so early - in just his 12th or 13th start - was unbelievable.”
Poyser is enjoying a week in his own bed as he looks forward to a home gig this week. “It’s always good to come back and I obviously know The Renaissance Club exceptionally well, having worked here for five years,” he said
“But, yeah, there have certainly been more ticket requests and all sorts and a bit more interest. However, you’ve got to go with the flow as it’s been brilliant.”
This is the eighth year in a row that The Renaissance Club has hosted the tournament, with another world-class field being headed by world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and second-ranked Rory McIlroy.
“I was actually down here in April playing and it was the best I’d ever seen it at that time of the year,” observed Poyser. “I then walked it on Sunday before we played it yesterday. The rough is as long as I’ve ever seen it. They’ve brought it in a little bit. In large, it’s roughly the same. I think there’s one new bunker.
“You can’t really run it down what is going to be tournament hole 12. You used to be able to chase one down there, but they’ve brought it in tight at the front of the green. We played a few holes with Viktor yesterday and he made a comment about “how this course has really matured”. I’d say that as well, only coming down here once or twice maximum now.
“I remember back in 2010 and 2011, the fairways being really sandy and, whenever I played here, I felt I was fatting almost every single shot. But now it is pure - it is really good.”