Report: Legendary golf caddie to take step back from PGA Tour in 2026

Matthew Fitzpatrick's caddie Billy Foster has confirmed he will take a step back in 2026 and share looping duties. 

Foster made the admission in a recent interview with Mirror Sport. 

The looper, now 58, has been on the bag for the Englishman since 2018 after he parted ways with Lee Westwood.

Foster and Fitzpatrick have tasted considerable success together, such as teaming up to win the 2022 U.S. Open at Brookline and were part of the 2023 European Ryder Cup success story. 

When the biennial event is held in Bethpage Black next September, it will mark Foster's 16th appearance should Fitzpatrick qualify or is picked. 

Going forward, though, Foster will share his duties with Dan Parratt. 

"I'm going to do a job share next year," Foster told the publication. 

"I'm 59 next week so I am going to do a job share. With 26, 27 events every year, transatlantic, it is catching up with me so I will share with Dan Parratt who has caddied for about 15 years.

"I will be doing about 13, 14 tournaments whatever it ends up being. I might do an odd couple in Europe with different people, we will see." 

Foster said he will caddie at The Sentry in January while Parratt will take over in California. 

He added: "I will do Florida, The Masters and Hilton Head and Dan will do US PGA and Memorial. I will come and do the US Open, The Open and the Scottish [Open], and Dan will come in and do the FedEx Cup playoffs."

Fitzpatrick is currently ranked 40th in the world. 

He didn't have his best stuff in 2024. He failed to make it to the season-ending Tour Championship and his best on Tour finish came when he finished fifth at The Players. 

In the majors, his best performance was at Augusta National when he tied for 22nd at The Masters.

Fitzpatrick missed the cut at the PGA Championship, tied for 64th at the U.S. Open and shared 50th at The Open. 

We play for pride, not money

Foster also had some strong words about U.S. golfers reportedly receiving money for playing in the Ryder Cup. 

The PGA of America are reportedly waiting until Seth Waugh's successor as chief executive is named before the board votes on the proposal to pay the players a $400,000 appearance fee. 

U.S. captain Keegan Bradley recently said he was disappointed somebody leaked that news.

While Tiger Woods has argued each player should receive $5m each with the condition they donate it to charity.

Foster said: "If the Americans want $400,000 to play then let them have it, because our lads won't want anything.

He added: "This has been going on for years and years. I remember wearing a t-shirt in 1999 at the Ryder Cup.

"My t-shirt had a European flag on it and it said 'We play for pride, not money'. That has been going on for 25 years. They were moaning about it then."

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