‘RIP’: Golf World in Mourning as Legendary Caddie Breathes His Last After Long Battle With Illness

In the world of professional caddying, earning a nickname meant a sign of respect and recognition. Mike “Fluff” Cowan, a legendary caddie himself, once said, “It’s almost like you haven’t made it in the caddie world until you’ve got a nickname.” Few have been the bearers of the witty names over the years, and John Graham was one such figure.

Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, the caddie went by the ‘Scotchy’ in the decades he spent holding the bag for several major players. From the Freeport-McDermott Classic to the Ryder Cup, he covered it all. Just in August this year, as the Danish Golf Championship 2025 went about, Graham made an appearance in Copenhagen. The ‘Caddieworld’ would describe it as, “The sun shone this week.” But it was age and health that eventually slowed the veteran of the game down.

On October 12th, ‘Caddieworld’ announced the news of John Graham’s passing on Instagram. “So sad to announce we have lost our friend John “Scotchy” Graham following a long brave battle with illness. A friend to everyone who crossed his path we will remember him as a big personality with a smile and a story for every occasion. Our thoughts and prayers go to his children, family and friends everywhere,” the caption read.

One of the early ones Graham held a bag for was Lee Westwood himself. In 1998, aged 24, the golfer added his first United States victory at the Freeport-McDermott Classic in New Orleans. As he shot a four-round total of 273 for a three-stroke victory, Graham stood witness to the celebrations. The caddie would soon accompany him to the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills.

Westwood, who has admitted to being a little too reliant on his caddies previously, couldn’t help but share a tribute on Instagram. “Rest in peace Scotchy xxx,” he wrote.

While the exact time they spent as the golfer-caddie duo is not known, Graham was seen caddying for Westwood in the mid-2000s. They had posed together at the Par-3 contest at The Masters, held at the Augusta National Golf Club in 2005. Later, Graham also held the bag for Westwood during the 2006 PGA Championship.

But Westwood wasn’t the only golfer Graham held a stint on the bag for. Mark James and Howard Clark are a couple of others, as he grew popular on the European Tour. Following his sudden passing, many in the golf community took to social media to pay their respects. From fellow caddies to professional golfers, messages poured in on Instagram.

The golf world mourns the passing of John ‘Scotchy’ Graham

When Westwood’s post was out, others, too, began sharing heartfelt messages in the comments. Fellow caddie Wayne Riley wrote, “RIP legend 🙏❤️🤠.” His words captured the sentiment of many who saw Graham not just as a caddie but as a mentor and influential figure in the sport. Echoing similar feelings, Claude Harmon III shared his admiration for Scotchy, stating, “One of the absolute best. 😢.”

Another fellow caddie, Kyle Roadley, shared about the laughs the two had. Like Graham, Kyle also has a nickname, Roachy, and has caddied for players like Robert Rock and Sami Valimaki. Reflecting on their friendship and the lighter moments on tour, he wrote, “Ledge … Rest In Peace SCOTCHY lad … thanx for the laughs my friend 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼gone but never to be forgotten ❤️”

While some shared messages through comments, others shared their feelings with Instagram stories. Billy Foster, a fellow caddie who has caddied for notable golfers such as Hugh Baiocchi, paid tribute to Scotchy by sharing a photo of him on Instagram. With the story, Billy wrote, “Rest In Peace Scotchy 🙏❤️” and “A very sad day for the caddying world losing the best character our game has ever known 🙏.”

Claude Harmon’s grandson, Claude Harmon III, also shared various stories on Instagram featuring Scotchy. Alongside resharing the reel by ‘Caddieworld’, he also shared a story with the text, “Rest easy Scotchy….” His words reflect the personal loss felt by many who had the privilege of working alongside Scotchy.

These tributes show that John “Scotchy” Graham’s impact went far beyond carrying bags. He shaped careers, mentored younger caddies, and brought warmth and wisdom to every course he stepped on. While his passing closes a chapter, his influence on the game and the people who knew him will continue to resonate for years to come.