Golf: Perks' wee caddy steals the limelight at Augusta

AUGUSTA - Craig Perks' five-year-old daughter, Meghan, stole the show during the traditional curtain-raiser par-three contest at the US Masters in Augusta yesterday.

Perks, who won The Players Championship last month, joined fellow New Zealander Michael Campbell on the nine-hole course near the 10th fairway.

Players are allowed to choose who they like to carry the clubs around the par-three layout and Perks chose Meghan, the older of his two children.

Wearing the traditional caddy white overalls, she was introduced to the crowd but cutely first pulled a face, sticking her fingers in her mouth and poking her tongue out, before stepping forward to wave to a delighted gathering.

Campbell contested the fun event with former college friend Darren Parata carrying the clubs.

"I've know Darren for about 20 years, so it was a real thrill for him to be here," Campbell said.

He flew Parata and another friend, Fred O'Meri, at his expense from New Zealand to be with him this week in Georgia.

Perks' victory in the US$6 million ($13.5 million) Players event was a life-changing result for the 35-year-old, who has attracted celebrity status in Augusta and well beyond the city limits of the Louisiana town of Lafayette, which he now calls home.

"This week has all been pretty overwhelming, from the second I drove down Magnolia Drive to the reception Meghan and I got today in the par-three contest," he said.

Campbell, contesting his third US Masters, has also been quizzed at every turn this week at Augusta, and noted that the impact of Perks' triumph was major.

"To have two guys in the Masters from a country with a population of 3.8 million people is such a great achievement," Campbell said.

"For what Craig did three weeks ago and now to have two guys playing here at the same time is a great achievement for New Zealand and, hopefully, it sends a message back home saying that if we can do it, so can others."

Perks has been easily recognised at every turn of the Augusta National course, with calls of "Well done" and "Congratulations on your TPC win" from spectators as he walked from green to next tee all week.

- NZPA