Rolex World No. 1 Yani Tseng is working with yet another new caddie this week.
And No. 4 Na Yeon Choi is now working with Tseng’s former longtime caddie.
The LPGA’s Safeway Classic features some significant team changes at the top of the world rankings as the tour heads to Pumpkin Ridge’s Ghost Creek Course in North Plains, Ore.
Playing with her third different caddie in the last four events, Tseng is looking to turn around her summer swoon. Tseng has hired Patrick Turley, a former PGA Tour caddie who once worked with Chris Riley and Chris DiMarco. Turley replaces Basil van Rooyen, who replaced Jason Hamilton, who toted Tseng’s bag for 16 of her worldwide titles over the last two years. Tseng parted ways with Hamilton two days after the U.S. Women’s Open.
Hamilton returns to the LPGA this week on Choi’s bag. He is replacing Shane Joel.
“I don't like to change caddies very often, but my old caddie, Shane, has some personal problems,” Choi said in her Safeway Classic pre-tournament interview. “He introduced me to Jason. They are good friends, and they are both from Australia. I trust Shane. When Shane said he's a good guy, he's a good caddie, so I trust Shane and Jason right now.”
Choi said she spoke with Tseng Wednesday morning.
“But we didn't say anything about the caddie,” Choi said. “I think we are good friends, but this is some kind of business. So, I think that's why she didn't say anything.”