Brasher goes from league hard man to caddy for his countryman

Australian caddy and former rugby league player Tim Brasher watches countryman Craig Parry chip...
Australian caddy and former rugby league player Tim Brasher watches countryman Craig Parry chip during a practice round for the New Zealand Open at The Hills yesterday. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Tim Brasher may be the only caddy at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open who is as well known as his golfer.

The former rugby league hard man is carrying the bag of Australian veteran Craig Parry at The Hills.

They make an interesting pair - Brasher's shaven pate and muscular frame contrasting with Parry's more generous girth - but Brasher said the combination felt good.

"I caddied for Paz in the Australian Open in December. Obviously, he was happy, so I get another go," he said. "We gelled well together. I suppose we're of a similar age and we have a good yarn."

Brasher (38) was one of the stars of a great era of Australian rugby league.

A fullback, he played most of his club football for the Balmain Tigers from 1989 to 1997, before stints with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys.

He also earned 15 caps for Australia and 21 for New South Wales.

Brasher remains a devoted Tigers fan but feels a little disconnected from the sport that made him a star.

"I watch some games live and I just can't believe it. The hits are so big and I can't imagine myself running around in the middle.

"I'm very proud of what I did in my career but it just seems like a lifetime ago."

Brasher played golf in his league days and was on a nine-handicap (soon to be reduced to three) when he started caddying for fellow Australian Terry Price on the European Tour.

He helped one of New Zealand's top golfers, Tim Wilkinson, when the pair worked together for nearly three years.

"I'd worked with Timmy a little bit and I knew he had something. I called him up and asked if he was keen. We ended up working together for three years.

"I caddied for him at the Masters and when Tiger Woods played in the Australian Open in Melbourne.

"We're really good friends and you'd never say never. But I don't really want to travel full-time being a caddy."

Brasher is now based in Sydney - "With a house and a wardrobe of clothes, not just a bag full of clothes" - and is effectively a caddy for hire.

He did not know much about The Hills before yesterday but has heard plenty of praise from players and caddies.

There were more than the obvious differences between the two sports in which he had been involved, Brasher said.

"There's so much time in golf. League is more reactive, more about strength. So if you work harder off the field, you have a bit of an advantage.

"In golf, there are a lot more factors and variables. Mentally, it's definitely the hardest sport in the world.

"You can't perfect golf. You think you can, but you never can. It's such a hard game.

"These guys earn their money."

 

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