FILE — C.T. Pan of Taiwan stands in the ninth fairway with his wife and caddie Michelle Lin during the final round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 19, 2018 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
Taiwan golfer C.T. Pan has found an ingenious way around the “no-family” rule at spectator-free Tokyo Olympics – he employs his wife as his caddie.
Pan, who has enjoyed one win on the US PGA Tour in 2019, said Wednesday his wife Michelle Lin could be key to a podium finish when the men’s event starts at Kasumigaseki Country Club on Thursday.
“Since this is the biggest event in my life, and for the whole world, I needed to bring out my best. She’s my best caddie,” said the 29-year-old Pan, who tied 30th in Rio de Janeiro five years ago.
“She wanted to be with me. Most importantly, we’ve got a great record together,” said Pan, who finished joint runner-up at the 2018 Wyndham Championship with Michelle on the bag.
“She knows me very well, she’s caddied before and knows my bad habits. She can say the right thing at the right time. She’ll help more on the mental side which I think will make me happy.”
C.T. Pan of Taiwan lines up a putt on the tenth green during the final round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Champion course on March 21, 2021 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Cliff Hawkins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The pair are staying with the Taiwan team in the athletes’ Village and were part of the celebrations Tuesday when Kuo Hsing-chun won the island’s first gold in women’s 59kg weightlifting.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to stay with the best athletes in the world,” said Michelle.
“It’s an honor and I thank C.T. for giving me this chance. The Olympics is very special and to be able to see my husband competing at this level, it makes me very proud of him,” added Michelle, casting a husband a loving look.
He laughed: “Do you want me to propose again?”