Who Is Jennifer Kupcho’s Caddie?
Jennifer Kupcho turned to a new caddie during the 2024 season - and the decision has led to an upturn in her fortunes
Jennifer Kupcho has made a big impact in her professional career so far. She was named 2019 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year and three years later, she claimed her maiden Major title at the 2022 Chevron Championship.
That was a particularly good year for the American, as she also picked up victories at the Meijer LPGA Classic and the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, with her caddie that remarkable season being David Eller. He even received an award of his own for the part he played in Kupcho’s success, picking up the prestigious Caddie of the Year award.
However, Eller started the 2023 season alongside Ryann O’Toole, and Kupcho turned to Patrick Smith.
The pair were still working together as the 2024 season started, but by the time the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship came around in March, Kupcho had begun working with Matt Pitts.
It appears that was no more than a temporary plan as she had brother Steven caddying for her the week after at the Ford Championship. However, by the first Major of the year, the Chevron Championship, she was working with Josh Udelhofen, and he's been her caddie since.
Udelhofen was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, and played college golf at Clarke University between 2010 and 2014. He enjoyed plenty of success, too, and was a four-time team MVP for the men’s golf team during his time there.
He continued playing in the years immediately after he graduated in the hope of earning a PGA Tour card, before taking up caddying on the LPGA Tour in 2021, initially alongside Gerina Piller. A year later, he was Caroline Inglis's caddie, before teaming up with Kupcho.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Top-10 finishes had all but dried up for Kupcho in the period leading to Udelhofen's arrival, but there have certainly been signs of progress since. After finishing T23 at the Chevron Championship, Kupcho has recorded top-10 finishes at the Mizuho Americas Open, the CPKC Women's Open and the FM Championship.
That uptick in form was enough to earn Kupcho one of three US wildcards for the 2024 Solheim Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf club, where she will hope Udelhofen can help inspire her - and the US team - to success as it looks to wrestle the trophy off the Europeans for the first time since 2017.
Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. As a multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the men's European Championships, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers, and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's now a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including six world number ones, and has attended and reported on many Major Championships and Ryder Cups. He's a member of Formby Golf Club.
- Mike HallNews Writer
-
Treat The Golfer In Your Life This Christmas And Save Big With $700 Savings On Stewart Golf Electric Trolleys
Golf Monthly experts rate these remote control golf trolleys as some of the best available, on offer right now in these brilliant Christmas golf deals
By Paul Brett Published
-
'In Europe, People Go Naked To Beaches All The Time, So I Don’t Really See The Difference’ – Grace Charis On Pushing Golf’s Dress Code Boundaries
Social media sensation Grace Charis takes golf's dress code debate to a new level
By Alison Root Published
-
Emilia Migliaccio Facts: 11 Things To Know About TV Reporter & Talented Amateur
Get to know former college golfing star and now broadcaster Emilia Migliaccio with our facts about her life and career
By Paul Higham Published
-
Kay Cockerill Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Golf Channel Broadcaster
Kay Cockerill has been with the Golf Channel since its inception, but she also had a successful playing career - here are 15 things to know about her
By Mike Hall Published
-
Karen Stupples Facts: 15 Things To Know About The Major-Winning Broadcaster
Karen Stupples left her professional playing career behind to take up broadcasting - here are 15 things you may not know about her
By Mike Hall Published
-
What Are Charley Hull's Stock Yardages?
The English star is one of the most powerful hitters on the LPGA Tour - but how far does Hull hit every club in the bag?
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Marina Alex Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Marina Alex has been an LPGA Tour pro since 2014 - here are 10 things to know about the American
By Mike Hall Published
-
9 Big Name Golfers Who Didn’t Go To College
Not every player who makes it in the professional game had the benefit of a college golf career - here are nine of the biggest names who made their names without taking that route
By Mike Hall Published
-
Louise Rydqvist Facts: 12 Things To Know About The Swedish Golfer
Louise Rydqvist is one of the most promising amateurs to come out of Sweden and plays for the University of South Carolina - get to know her better with these facts
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
How Can I Watch College Golf?
College golf may not enjoy coverage as extensive as the biggest professional events, but there are still several options for watching various events as the action unfolds
By Mike Hall Published