Colin Byrne

Colin Byrne is a veteran caddie, author, and columnist for The Irish Times, whose career in professional golf has spanned more than four decades. Byrne began his journey in golf by traveling to southern France to caddie at a tournament, which marked the start of a career that includes more than 20 worldwide wins as a caddie. He has worked with several of the sport’s leading players, establishing a reputation as a trusted strategic and psychological partner on the course.

A notable highlight of Byrne’s career is his long-standing partnership with South African golfer Retief Goosen, with whom he won the US Open. Byrne has also caddied for Ernie Els, Edoardo Molinari, Paul Lawrie, Rafa Cabrera Bello—celebrating a win at the Scottish Open—and Alex Noren, among others. He has served as caddie for Louis Oosthuizen on the LIV Tour and has worked with Tony Finau at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, demonstrating his enduring presence in elite golf tournaments.

In addition to his work on the course, Byrne is recognized for his contributions to golf journalism and literature. His weekly column in The Irish Times offers readers an insider’s perspective on the professional golf circuit, chronicling the experiences of players and caddies. Byrne authored the memoir "Bagman: Inside the Exclusive World of Professional Golf," which provides an in-depth look at life as a professional caddie, followed by a second volume in the "Bagman" series. He also co-authored "The Little White Ball — How to Score to the Best of Your Ability" with Karl McCullagh, a strategy guide for amateur golfers.

Byrne has extended his expertise into digital ventures, collaborating with technology expert Cathal Leonard to create AcaddieMe, a platform that features drone video flyovers of top golf courses with Byrne’s strategic commentary. His insights into the mental and tactical aspects of golf, developed over a lifetime in the sport, position him as a knowledgeable voice in golf strategy, caddie expertise, and sports writing.