Jay Monahan stood as a pillar of support behind Allisen Corpuz last year. The caddie has looped for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion since her early days on the top circuit. There appears to be no change of plan this year as well. The stakes are higher: Corpuz aims to be the first golfer since Karrie Webb in 2001 to go back-to-back at the U.S. Women’s Open.

In a recent chat with USGA, the Iowa-born caddie recounted his experience from last year. Monahan also revealed why he has stuck with the 26-year-old, despite American International having had had multiple close calls in the past couple of years. It’s a story of patience and resilience, and the victory last year is a monumental testament to that.

Jay Monahan was trying to keep Allisen Corpuz calm

Contrary to what you might believe, becoming a major wing caddie didn’t cross his mind till Allisen Corpuz birdied two back-to-back holes on the back nine. Still, Monahan was cautious. Even after Corpuz was done with her round, the experienced bagman put the flag back on the pin. Eventually, his fears were allayed as Charley Hull finished three shots back. 

Things, however, didn’t start very easily. Corpuz wasn’t at 100% heading to the final round. Monahan said his job was to keep her anxiety-free. “It was just trying to remain as calm and relaxed as I could just so that she wasn’t sensing any nerves or anxiousness from my side. The nerves definitely hit more so in the mornings since we were teeing off later in the day.”

Still, Corpuz did have to battle additional pressure. The 26-year-old was put on the clock on the 11th for the first time. Right after that, Monahan had to go to the loo. Again, on the 13th, the USGA officials deemed Corpuz took too much time for her approach shot. One more warning, and they would’ve been penalized a stroke.  It was the ‘most stressful’ moment of the day, Monahan said last year. Now he revealed how he counted that.

Monahan and Corpuz reached the summit after an arduous climb

To make the matter even worse, on the 13th, Corpuz had a 60-foot birdie waiting for her. Monahan revealed that on most days, they don’t talk much on the golf course. But on that day, the Iowa native wanted to keep everything positive. Jay Monahan added, “And it’s always really impressed me … Allisen strives to always think and talk positively on the golf course. So we work together well in that fashion.”

However, the trouble wasn’t over there, Corpuz made another bogey on the 17th. But Monahan insists the stress level wasn’t high at the par-5 final hole, revealing in the interview, “She’s so good with the driver that as a caddie, I was never going to take it out of her hand, especially on Sunday. She didn’t hesitate, and when she didn’t hesitate, I knew what we were doing.”

Monahan hopes to replicate the same magic this year at Lancaster Country Club with Allisen Corpuz. The defending champion shot 5-over in the opening round. But scoring at Pennsylvania has been low, which should bolster the hopes of both for a comeback in the second round. Corpuz will have the level-headed guidance of Jay Monahan on her side.