This LPGA Rookie Hired a Baltusrol Local Caddie, But Not For The Reason You’d Think

Celine Borge of Norway is using a local caddie at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for a peculiar, but awesome reason.

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — Celine Borge, a Norwegian LPGA Tour rookie, came off the course Thursday morning tied for the clubhouse lead at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at 2 under par. The 24-year-old, who is making just her second start in a major, played an excellently steady round, carding three birdies and just one bogey in cold, windy and wet conditions. 

It turns out that Borge is using a local caddie from the New Jersey club this week named Corey Birch, and naturally, reporters wanted to know if her temporary looper made an impact on her navigation of the A.W. Tillinghast design. 

After all, professional golfers typically pick up local caddies for one very obvious reason: they’re local. Even for the best players in the world it can take dozens of rounds to master difficult major championship courses like Baltusrol, and oftentimes, a constant supply of local knowledge can speed that process up. 

But Borge’s answer to the straightforward question about her caddie choice was peculiar to say the least. 

“Yeah, I got him from the club, so it’s been very nice. Really just want someone to carry the bag, and he’s been good at that,” Borge said. 

Birch’s ability to “carry the bag” doesn’t exactly seem like a competitive edge, but it turns out that’s all Borge wanted from her looper this week. She didn’t even ask him for help deciphering Baltusrol’s daunting putting surfaces. 

“I didn’t use him on the greens,” Borge said when asked about the local caddie’s reads. 

Celine Borge of Norway reads a putt at Baltusrol Golf Club.  :: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

A few moments later, Borge’s caddie mystery became a lot clearer. The LPGA rookie explained that employing caddies has been quite the adjustment for her. 

This year, she has actually hired a local caddie at every LPGA Tour stop she’s visited. That means Borge has picked up 11 different caddies so far this season. 

“I’m not used to having a caddie,” Borge said. “I just try to do what I’ve always been doing, just play my own game and just someone to carry the bag.” 

Borge secured her LPGA Tour card for the 2023 season by placing sixth on the Epson Tour money list. 

On the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s developmental circuit, Borge didn’t need to hire a caddie. She simply carried her own bag. 

As for the possibility of finding a full-time caddie for the rest of her LPGA season, Borge said she’ll “have to see.” 

With three top-20 finishes under her belt already this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the rookie doesn’t change a thing.