How caddie’s wise words inspired Jordan Spieth

If nothing else, the 146th Open Championship will go down as the major of the meaningful caddie intervention.

Last Thursday saw JP Fitzgerald give Rory McIlroy the verbal kick up the behind required to snap the world number four out of a terrible start at Royal Birkdale that had seen the Irishman flounder at five over par after his first six holes.

“You’re Rory McIlroy, what the f... are you doing?” was the crux of JP’s rebuke and it provided his boss with precisely the jump start he needed to get his act together, transforming a player in meltdown into a man who would secure a top-four finish and a cheque for around €410,000 three days later.