Billy's back on Tour

Bingley caddie Billy Foster will start his 37th year on the European Tour on the bag of fellow Yorkshireman Matt Fitzpatrick

Foster split from Lee Westwood last November after a ten year partnership, describing the break up as “gut wrenching.” But he’s looking forward to a new challenge with Fitzpatrick, who despite being only 24 has already won five times on the European Tour.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Matt. He’s a talented lad who is learning all the time and he has an all-important 15th club in his bag which is his tremendous attitude when under pressure," Foster told Yorkshire Golfer.

They first worked together at the DP World Championship in Dubai last November where Hallamshire member Fitzpatrick tied for 34th, and Foster noticed a couple of things in his short game he thought could be improved.

“I think we can work on his gapping and distance control with his wedges and also work on visualising different ways to play shots around the greens.”

Having worked for short game supremo Seve Ballesteros for several years Foster is well qualified to judge.

“On a few shots around the green I think he was using a club with too much loft and maybe didn’t see an alternative and that’s something I feel I can help him with. Saving one or two shots a week around the greens can be the difference between winning and losing.”

They start out at the Singapore Open next week (Jan 14) and will head back to Dubai a week later for the Desert Classic before an assault on the US Tour until at least the end of May.