Barry Cornwall’s inception into John Catlin’s professional life seems to work like a lucky charm. Having switched his game since joining Catlin in late November last year, the Cornwall effect has magically turned the gloomy career of this 33-year-old into a prosperous one.

Together, the duo has not only made a stark impression on LIV Golf as a reserve member with a 24th finish in Houston, and a top-scoring run in Nashville so far, but they have also managed to make rounds in the Asian Tour with two back-to-back wins. This upward trajectory for Catlin started with a win in the International Series Macau and was accelerated with his follow-up win at the Saudi Open presented by PIF. So who really is this lucky charm in the Asian Tour pro’s increasingly successful life?

Diving deeper into the story of Barry Cornwall

Barry Cornwall is the six-time Asian Tour winner’s new caddie. The 50-some-year-old belongs to Canterbury, England, and seems to enjoy a private life. With few frequent posts on his social media pages, Cornwall hosts a straightforward attitude in his interactions on-course.

That is probably the reason why he seems not to have had any arguments with John Catlin. In their words, they “get along pretty good.” Cornwall admittedly just wants one change for Catlin: “Needs to win more. That’s it,” something his employer agrees with 100%. This well-wisher of the American professional golfer also has one thing he dearly loves about Catlin. Talking about which, he said, “You’re no stress. He’s very little stress, on or off the course. That’s what I like and he keeps me up-to-date.”

So what really is the Cornwall effect on this progressively improving golfer’s life?

The Cornwall effect on John Catlin’s life

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed,” were John Catlin’s words after his second consequent win on the Asian Tour. The bagman’s role is often understated in a professional golfer’s success story, but Catlin’s story has such a strong Cornwall effect that it is next to impossible to disregard his role in the journey of persistence and never-give-up attitude that this 33-year-old star has undertaken.

After undergoing two long years of struggle which included him missing 16 of 32 cuts in 2023 and losing his DP World Tour card, Cornwall’s onboarding to back up this Asian Tour pro’s game led him to magnanimous success. From an OWGR rank exceeding the horror-striking 500s to climbing back to graces with 167th place on the famous world ranking system, which does not factor in his LIV Golf performances, this 2024 LIV Golf, and becoming the first man to ever shoot 59 on the Asian Tour, this power duo has truly proven nothing is impossible when they are together.

Immediately after he shot the winning putt at the Asia Tour’s Saudi Open, beaming with happiness, Catlin said to his caddie Cornwall, “We made that a little more difficult than we had to,” rejoicing the moment that came to be translated at that sweet moment after his long years of struggle.

But how was life before Cornwall took on as John Catlin’s bagman?

Life before Barry Cornwall: Catlin’s journey with ex bagman explored

Nathan Mulrooney was on Catlin’s bag when the world was dealing with the deadly COVID-19 virus. While struggling with his game at the time, the duo seemed to stick with one another through thick and thin, including a breached bubble rule. Surely, Catlin is correct to say he has “gone through some things,” and who is a better witness to his struggles than his long-lasting companion Mulrooney?

After all, the two enjoyed a good run together and turned into “good friends,” in their time together. Post the famous bubble breach that garnered unbelievingly high levels of attention, this American pro golfer with a total of 13 professional wins and his caddie Nathan Mulrooney had to withdraw from the 2020 English Championship at Hanbury Manor by the European Tour due to their breach of COVID-19 protocols.

Both were quick to recognize their shortcoming and soon apologized, “I apologize to my fellow players and everyone involved with the tournament this week for this error of judgment. I understand the European Tour’s decision and accept the sanction.”

While Catlin is now collaborating with Cornwall, Mulrooney also seems to have embraced his individual career. He recently caddied for Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Asian Tour International Series Oman. He recently posted a picture from his new job photoshoot, it seems Middlewich is this golf caddy’s next stop.

Even though, Catlin’s struggle-filled journey turned him into a “stronger competitor, a stronger golfer,” there still seems to be a long way ahead for Catlin and Cornwall.