Legendary caddie explains split with PGA Tour star

Legendary caddie Billy Foster says he has no issues with Matthew Fitzpatrick after the 2022 U.S. Open champion decided to call time on their partnership.

Fitzpatrick's poor start to the 2025 season led the European Ryder Cup star to dramatically part ways Foster after the Players Championship.

Foster was supposed to be sharing Fitzpatrick's bag this year but the Englishman decided to abruptly end their relationship after missing the cut at TPC Sawgrass.

"It was a bit disappointing but he's been playing poorly," Foster said. 

"You know when things aren't going well and you're not enjoying it out there sometimes it's just nice to have a break and just get a bit of freshness and have a different eye on the ball. 

"That's the caddying game. It's always been the same. It'll never be any different."

Foster said he accepts this is a results-driven business and when things aren't going to plan the coach or the caddie is the first in the firing line.  

"That's the way players work and you just have to accept it for what it is," he said. 

"Obviously it's very disappointing because we've had so many good times together and so many great victories. Matt struggled. It's out there in the results. 

"He hasn’t played well for six to eight months, feels the time to change is right, freshness is everything and that's fine, you just gotta accept the way it is."

Foster said he noticed Fitzpatrick's body language changing on the golf course in recent months. 

The atmosphere, he said, also wasn't the same. 

"Listen, I'll always admire Matt as a golfer but more importantly as a person. His family are very grounded, very humble, and I've got a lot to thank Matt for. 

"Like I said, we've had six great years and we've done very well together, and he's a major champion, which I'll always be truly grateful for. That he provided that. 

"Because it was very frustrating when you'd had a great career and never won a major with anybody. Matt delivered that."

Foster said Fitzpatrick has been getting down on himself.

Through six PGA Tour events this season, he has finished no higher than a tied 22nd. 

"I've been very honest with Matt on several occasions but he's normally taken it on board and reacted to it in a positive way," Foster said.

"It's just the fact that he's been playing poorly for the last year, he's getting down with his game and you can feel the disappointment in the air around you. Sometimes it just needs a shake up.

"I'm man enough to take it out on the chin and say, you know what, you're probably right, mate. It might do us both good. We'll see. You move on. But I have no regrets. 

"I have nothing but good things to say about him and I'll move on and the next time I see him, I'll give him a hug and say, listen, it's no problem. I totally understand. 

"I'll give him a hug next time I see him. It's been a great journey and I'm very thankful for everything that he provided for me and my family. So, that's it."

At 59, will he now retire?

Foster has been caddying since he was a teenager.

He previously worked for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and even Tiger Woods.

"I've done this since I was 16 years old," he said.  

"I'm a bit of a nomad. I've always been on the road. If somebody said they got to live 50 weeks a year in Bingley, West Yorkshire I need to be out there doing something on tour.

"I don't know what’s next at this stage. I might come back caddying. I might come back on course, commentating. I might come back doing something completely different. I don’t know. 

"Ideally I'd still like to caddie. I'm 59 so I think I've got two or three years left in me. 

"If it means going back to caddying full-time it depends what gets offered. I don't rule anything out at this stage."

Foster was speaking to Prime Casino.