Masters champion 'breaks unwritten golf rule' as he's spotted in unusual role

Jose Maria Olazabal was the caddie for his nephew (Image: Getty)

Former Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal broke an ‘unwritten golf rule’ as he was spotted caddying for his nephew Joseba Torres.

Olazabal has taken up the unusual role in his native Spain for the final stage of DP World Tour qualifying school, where Torres hit a two-under-par opening round on the Lakes Course in Tarragona.

But it was a social media snap of Olazabal that garnered all the attention, with the Basque-born golfer spotted wearing golf shoes while carrying his relative’s bags.

To the untrained eye, it might seem like an innocent observation, but for golfers, their caddies wearing golf shoes is seen as a big no.

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In fact, the PGA Tour implemented a rule that bans caddies from wearing the footwear while out on the course with their partners.

However, given Olazabal is a two-time major winner and former Team Europe Ryder Cup captain, the Spaniard was understandably excused for his fashion faux pas by golf fans. 

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Fellow golf legend Paul McGinley put it best following the Miracle at Medinah in 2012, saying: "He's our Ollie. We all worship Jose Maria," essentially suggesting Olazabal is free to do as and how he pleases. 

Nephew Torres is unlikely to care much about his uncle's sartorial choices, given the expertise the latter has been able to pass on to the former during their time on the course together.

Commenting on the prospect of working with Olazabal, the 22-year-old told the DP World Tour: "I've practised with him a lot and to have him on the bag with his experience and his knowledge.

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There is an unwritten rule that caddies don't wear golf shoes.

But when you are a two time Masters Champ, a 23x winner on DP, played on 7 Ryder Cup Teams, and are in World Golf Hall of Fame, you have earned the right to break that rule.

Jose Maria on the bag at @DPWTQSchool pic.twitter.com/056RAeTG3m

— No More Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) November 8, 2024

"The knowledge he has of how to play the shot, what to do in a certain situation – all the stuff that when you’re playing by yourself you don’t really deal with very well.

Torres continued: "With him it's so easy because he tells you exactly what you need to do. He has been with me since I started playing golf when I was three years old.

"Obviously in a tournament it is different but he has always been with me and he knows what I’m more comfortable with and not. He really knows my game.

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“Whatever he says I say yes, let's go and do it because I really trust him. I know he isn't going to say anything that I don't need to do so I really trust what he says."

Torres is likely to need all the help he can get, given only the top 20 players and ties will earn safe passage into the 2024/25 DP World Tour, which kicks off in Australia later this year.

As well as Torres, the likes of Eddie Pepperell, Chris Wood, Edoardo Molinari and relegated LIV Golf ace Kalle Samooja are among those fighting for a spot on the Tour.