Scots pro explains how iconic commentator helped her to maiden win

Hannah McCook picked up her first professional win last week on the Rose Ladies Series, the week after having a famous face, and voice, on her bag.

The Scot won the final Rose Ladies Series event of the season at the Grove, near London, thanks to a dramatic playoff win after carding a four-under-par round of 68.

Her first career professional win came just a week after she had legendary football commentator Clive Tyldesley caddying for her, around his home course, Bearwood Lakes.

“Clive and his wife Susan came up to Gleneagles last summer and played golf with my boyfriend, Sean, whose uncle is former Scotland goalkeeper Bryan Gunn,” McCook explained to bunkered.

• PGA Tour chief dismisses slow play concerns

• Mickelson blasts USGA over “d**k move”

“They stayed in contact and Clive was asking if I was coming to Bearwood Lakes to play the Rose Series event.

“They got in touch with me and asked if I wanted to play the course with them in a practice round.

“On the second hole, Clive asked if I had a caddie and if I wanted to use his trolley. I told him I’d love to use his trolley, but in the back of my mind I was thinking I would rather he was pushing it, but I was too shy to ask.

“We were in the clubhouse afterwards having a drink and he was joking that he was hoping the trolley wouldn’t die and then he joked saying, ‘would you rather I pushed it?’

This means the world 🏆

To all those who have helped and supported me to get my first professional win, I can’t thank you enough.

Most importantly, @katevrose and @justinprose99 thank you for everything you do in giving us these opportunities. @RoseLadiesGolf pic.twitter.com/gIdhRONCWN

— Hannah McCook (@HannahMcCook) May 3, 2023

“I said I would absolutely love if he came for the walk. I just like having someone walk round and to be able to chat to them between shots.”

Although McCook, who is coached by David Torrance, wasn’t in contention with Tyldesley caddying, she said that having him on the bag was an experience she won’t forget.

“He was good as a caddie and very positive on the course. You could hear the commentating coming out at times. I would tell him what I was going to do and he was repeat it back to me as if to agree.

“I asked him to do a flyover on every hole on the tee and he was brilliant. I was saying he needs to do something like that for the website. He would do it in his normal voice, but obviously it sounded like he was commentating.”

The next week, things clicked for McCook, who picked up a cheque for £10,000 thanks to her win in the series supported by Justin Rose.

“The prize money is a relief to be honest. I was getting stressed with some things, but this gives me some more breathing space and means I’m able to fund the season basically.

“I’m fortunate to have sponsors that have supported me to here, but we go away on the LET Access Tour and I was tied tenth and I won about £600. Once you’ve paid for flights, entry fee, hotels and food and everything else, you’ll not actually be taking that much home.

“You’re basically paying for a cheap holiday each week and not knowing if you’re going to win any money at the end of it. People wouldn’t spend all that money every week if they knew they weren’t getting paid for it.

• PGA Tour confirms Rory McIlroy punishment

• McIlroy breaks silence following Masters MC

“It’s really good and the prize money is really amazing. Doing it in a Rose event, with Rose and Kate supporting it is really cool. With Sky Sports being there doing the highlights, even just for getting your name out there, it’s really great.”

As for Tyldesley, could a career in caddying be on the cards after hanging up the mic? Absolutely, says McCook.

“He’s been in touch a lot since I won on Tuesday. He said to enjoy and reflect and note down what I did well. What I did between playing and the playoff. Obviously, he knows that it won’t happen every week in golf, so just to enjoy it.

“I think he could see I was playing well, so he wasn’t surprised that I won. I’d have him back on the bag anytime.”

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor