In the world of professional golf, the player is always in the spotlight; however, behind every successful golfer is a skilled and dedicated caddie. Justin Lower has found this invaluable companion in his caddie, Chad Gonzales. Lower explained on the BIGPLAY Reflog Show the process of hiring a caddie. He said there is a group of established caddies whom a player can approach depending on their status. Lower chose his caddie from the Korn Ferry Tour.
Usually, it includes discussing the period for which the player needs a caddie, say for a few weeks or a whole season. They together discuss the arrangement, and if things fall into place, bam! A pro gets his caddie. That is how the golfer met his caddie and mate, in 2022, after getting his card.
Who is Chad Gonzales?
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Gonzales brings a wealth of experience to Team Lower as he himself is an achiever. He was a part of a total of 13 golf events. His best ones were Lone Tree Classic being No. 1 and Aurora City Championship ending up at No. 2. He earned 1st place six times, 2nd place four times, and 3rd place once. Gonzales’s understanding of the game, proficiency in reading greens, assessing wind conditions, and club selection have consistently guided the golfer to make informed decisions on the course.
Justin Lower has had some of his best games since he hired Chad as his caddie. In the his rookie season and the 2022-23 season, he missed a total of 27 cuts. After a struggling rookie season, the 34-year-old golfer’s tied for fourth at the Fortinet Championship in mid-September in 2022 which was his best finish until he finished at T3 at the Mexico Open this year.
Lower has made five cuts so far, in the 6 events that has been concluded so far. He missed the cut at the 2024 Cognizant Classic. Although his finishes have not been that great, but the golfer has been trying to establish himself, as his goal appears to be making more cuts this year with his caddie by his side.
Additionally, Chad Gonzales appears to be a private person, but he often shares about his work on his social media. He even gave a sneak peek at his notes from his yardage book from the Portland Open, a few years ago.
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Justin Lower and Chad Gonzales: Fun banter
This duo came to light during the player-caddie fantasy football league. Justin Lower has scored the most points in his PGA Tour player-caddie fantasy league, taking down his very own caddie Chad. Asked if we felt bad about hanging triple digits on Chad, who is on the hot seat after an 0-4 start to the season, Lower did not mince words, “No, I do not at all,” he said.
Read More: Who Is Bud Cauley’s Caddie? Exploring the Experienced Bagman’s Career & Life
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Certainly, when the player is in a funk or hits a few loose shots, the caddie becomes a psychologist, doing or saying the proper things to get the player in the right mindset. The caddie may or may not actually hit the ball, but they do play an integral role. Many pros ask their caddies for advice, and as it seems, Chad’s advice has been doing wonders for Lower. There is more to see in the future as to where this player-caddie partnership will go!!
Read more – Who Is Dean Burmester’s Caddie? Meet Jason Reynolds, LIV Golf Pro’s Veteran Looper