Hong Kong: Hong Kong Open golfers were in mourning on Thursday as they wore black ribbons in tribute to caddie Max Zechmann who collapsed this week during the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
Players were also remembering Spanish great Seve Ballesteros’ former caddie who passed away last week.
Defending champion Justin Rose was among those with ribbons pinned to their clothing in memory of Austrian caddie Zechmann — who collapsed on Wednesday in Dubai and later died — and Argentine Pedro Ramseyer, who caddied for the late Ballesteros.
American Paul Peterson, who finished the first day at joint third at four under par despite recovering from sinus surgery, said: “It’s sad for the caddies and the friendships that they have created; to have two guys go in two weeks is really sad.”
And England’s Ian Poulter, who said he had often played with Zechmann, earlier tweeted: “Very sad to see the passing of another caddie. Done many rounds with Big Max. #RIP thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
The opening round of the $2 million (Dh7.3 million) tournament teed off in bright sunshine with Rose, who pulled out of the Hero World Challenge last week with a sore back, ending the day on par.
The Englishman was moving gingerly on the course and admitted he was “rusty” after taking a seven-week break to rest his back but said he was hopeful he was on the mend.
“The worst thing for me is picking the ball out of the hole — I think that’s why I wasn’t holing putts because I was scared to pick it out of the hole!” he joked.
“I came off today in a lot better shape than after the first round of the Hero last week — so I feel optimistic I’m through the worst of it and get better and stronger and looser every single day.”
He came agonisingly close to carding an albatross on the 13th hole after a near 240-yard approach shot from the fairway bounced off the flag before he converted the putt for an eagle.
“I’ve never had an albatross before actually and that’s the only thing my caddie has over me in our golfing careers — he’s had an albatross and I haven’t — so I think he’s quite glad that it hit the flag and stayed out to be honest!”
