Billy Foster has worked alongside some of golf’s greatest names throughout his remarkable career, offering crucial guidance and expertise, but one memorable moment involving Tiger Woods stands out – and it didn’t take place on the fairway.
The seasoned caddie boasts 16 Ryder Cup appearances and only six months ago ended his six-year partnership with Matt Fitzpatrick, having been instrumental in securing his US Open triumph.
Back in 2005, Woods found himself without his regular caddie. Foster, who was working with Darren Clarke at the time, happened to be available. Woods approached Clarke requesting Foster’s assistance and Clarke immediately agreed.
During a recent appearance on the RickSheilsGolfShow, the experienced bagman recounted a hilarious ‘toilet-gate’ episode with Woods.
Foster was caddying for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup when, mere moments before his tee time, Woods urgently needed the facilities.
“It was Ryder Cup 2002. First match, first morning, was Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn playing Tiger Woods and Paul Azinger. So l go into the toilets. There’s C.B. Y. Davis Love’s caddie in there. ‘Morning, Cubby’. ‘Morning, Billy’.
“So I sit down, trousers around the ankles, look across-oh my god, no toilet paper. Full reverse across the corridor to trap two. Sit down. Look behind me-20 rolls of toilet paper on the shelf behind.”
Foster had a hilarious encounter with Woods, who found himself in a predicament just minutes before teeing off.
“Now I’m using the excess toilet paper, I’m drying my eyes because I’m crying, crying because like there’s six minutes to tee off here now or something like that, and I’m the only man in the world that knows that Jesus is in there with no toilet paper,” Foster recounted.
“So I’ve gone back, rolled up about 20 sheets, and I’ve gone down on my hands and knees under his toilet door. And whoever’s in there, I said, ‘You might be needing this.’ As I walked out, I went, ‘You’re one up’.
“And sure enough, they beat them one up. And he came out with the biggest smile on his face and said, ‘Billy, I owe you big time’.”
Foster began caddying for Fitzpatrick in 2019 and has also worked with several other notable Europeans. During his tenure with Fitzpatrick, they secured two PGA Tour victories, four on the DP World Tour, and a major title at the 2022 US Open.