Tevez ‘should stick to soccer’ after friend’s 82

Very few rounds of 82 receive — or indeed deserve — a rousing welcome to the 18th green at the British Open and it is almost unheard of for a caddie to be the focus of all the attention.

So the sight of Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez grinning broadly and giving the thumbs-up to the galleries lining the fairway as he carried the bag of Andres Romero was an unlikely one to say the least.

The 28-year-old’s affinity with golf has been well documented in the last year as it seemed he was photographed on the course in Argentina almost every day after walking out of City following a row with manager Roberto Mancini.

Tevez was at Royal Lytham on Saturday to watch his compatriot shoot 77 — which was easily his worst score in three rounds by seven shots — but went one step further on the final day as he got on to the fairway as Romero’s caddie. But if he was hoping to inspire the 31-year-old to a last-day rally he failed miserably as the Argentinian, who five years ago had a two-shot lead on the 17th tee in the final round of the British Open at Carnoustie only to suffer a late collapse, carded a woeful 12-over round which dropped him to last.

Romero, however, refused to blame his occasional bagman — who did little else apart from carry the clubs and attract unnecessary attention.

Tevez appeared to be having a whale of a time, which is more than can be said for his golfing friend.

“Yes, I enjoyed the round. The course is beautiful,” said Tevez.

“The chance to walk along the course and to be around these great players is a pleasure and something unforgettable. It was good to enjoy the last day with him. This was the dream of everybody who plays golf. It was my first Major!

“It was difficult to carry the bag because it weighed so much but it was fine. I couldn’t give any advice about the slopes but I just carried the bag and supported him each hole. Andres is a professional and he knows everything already. We worked together very well.”

Romero was playing so badly Tevez, a 13-handicapper, could probably have done just as good a job with the clubs in his hands as opposed to in the bag. Asked whether he would like to play professionally when he retires from football the controversial striker added: “No, just with my friends as an amateur. I don’t want to change from that. The golf bag hurts my shoulder too much, I prefer to play football — and my pants were very tight.”

Romero, a Boca Juniors fan who claims he watches City a lot, said he enjoyed his morning with Tevez.

“Saturday he came to my house and he asked me first and we all agreed he would take the bag,” said the Argentinian, whose regular caddie Anibal Nunez was relegated to the role of interpreter for his post-round interview.

“We really enjoyed the day but I’ve not paid Carlos yet — we will see,” said Romero.

“He didn’t give me any advice on yardages or club selection.”

Asked whether he thought Tevez could turn professional he added: “I advise him to keep playing soccer because he is good at that.”