Nick Faldo's Tale Of Two Caddies: Last month represented the best of times, for Fanny Sunesson, while reviving memories of the worst of times for Dave McNeilly. Less than a month after Faldo had presented her with a four-wheeldrive car to celebrate their 10 years together, Ms Sunesson effectively fired him for not playing well enough to keep her in handsome percentages. And she promptly took a job caddying for wunderkind, Sergio Garcia.

All of which prompted McNeilly, now with Padraig Harrington, to recall the occasion when the sole of one of his trainers flapped noisily as he trudged the fairways as Faldo's caddie. On being told by his multi-millionaire boss to buy a new pair, McNeilly complained forlornly that he hadn't the money.

Whereupon Faldo opened his wallet. McNeilly could hardly believe his eyes as his "master" produced a wad of notes. The mood changed dramatically, however, when Faldo proceeded to remove an elastic band which he handed to the caddie saying: "There, put that around your shoe. It should do the trick."