Justin Rose won his 10th PGA Tour title at the weekend but it was the first without his long-time bagman Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher alongside him.
Fooch was back home watching from the sofa after undergoing heart surgery earlier in the month so Rose took Henrik Stenson‘s former caddie Gareth Lord out to California with him.
The partnership clearly worked well, with Rose winning by two strokes, and he dedicated his victory to Fooch.
“Fooch, that was for you, mate,” Rose said in his post-round interview.
“I’m sure watching us all weekend was harder than the heart surgery. … Love you, and we’ll see you soon.”
Fooch confirmed on Twitter that he was more nervous watching…”much more bloody nervy watching on the couch I can tell you,” he wrote whilst thanking TV commentators for their thoughts.
Thank you to everyone @SkySportsGolf@GolfCentral@CBSSportsNet for your support … much more bloody nervy watching on the couch I can tell you 😂😂😂… Come on Rosey 🌹
“I dedicate this to my boy Foochy who’s at home resting up after surgery and no doubt we’ll come back and try to win it again with him on the bag,” he said.
The World Number One shot a closing 69 at Torrey Pines where he played his last 12 holes bogey-free and five under par after being two over through five.
Fooch was discharged from hospital last week, a week after undergoing heart surgery.
The Englishman is currently taking some time off and we’re sure he’ll be back out on Rose’s bag soon.
Discharge day is here !!!! ..exactly 7 days ago i went into surgery @MountSinaiNYC … it’s impossible to put into words how amazing the entire team have been to me ..Doctor Adams has built something here beyond fantastic …. I’ll be forever grateful .. TY 👊❤️ pic.twitter.com/UuW1A2xLOj