If you see Si Woo Kim, do ask him about his tough years. He will, undoubtedly, include 2022 on the list. The reason? After a win at the 2021 American Express, the South Korean pro didn’t manage to rake in another victory until the 2023 Sony Open in Hawaii. And it was all thanks to a certain person’s help on the course. Yes, you guessed it right. It was his caddie, Manuel Villegas, who supported him on the greens.

The name does seem familiar, right? Well, if you did feel that way, then good catch. The bagman shares a special sibling relationship with a certain renowned golfer on the PGA Tour, none other than Camilo Villegas (you might have guessed it from the name!). And it was through his help that Kim was able to clinch his fourth win on the Jay Monahan-led circuit.

Meet Manuel ‘Manny’ Villegas, Si Woo Kim’s caddie

Born on December 3, 1984, Manuel Villegas started carrying the bags for the South Korean golfer after the latter said goodbye to his old looper, Brian Vranesh. Since then, the duo has managed to experience much success on the golf course, including five top-10 finishes back in 2023, including a win and a T2 placement.

The looper was born in Columbia and is currently residing in Jupiter, Florida, despite having Medellin as his birthplace and hometown. After he graduated high school, the future caddie pursued his college education at the University of Florida. Maybe it was because of his athletic father, who was a trial Pan American Championship runner-up, or his older brother, who was a golf pro, but his attention soon turned to golf.

Although the year 2024 didn’t turn out to be that notable for the twosome, the Columbian bagman has managed to make his effect known on the golfer. And its biggest proof came at the 2024 Open Championship when the 29-year-old pro carded a hole-in-one at the Royal Troon Golf Club.

Kim, Villegas, and the ace at Royal Troon

It was the third day at the iconic golf club in Scotland. Si Woo Kim was just readying himself to tee off his ball at the par-3, 17th hole when his caddie interrupted him. “You’d better hit hard with a 3-iron,” said Villegas. And listen to his bagman, he did, for the golfer recounted, “I did, and as soon as I did, the contact was good. I saw the ball go over the fringe and thought that must be maybe inside 20 feet.”

His looper’s words made all the difference in the end as the crowd erupted around him. Only then did he realize what was going on and break into a huge smile, all the while sharing a laugh with Villegas. Moreover, the ace also helped him mark his name in the annals of history, making it the longest hole-in-one in the major’s history at 238 yards. It also marked the first known ace on the par-3 hole at the Royal Troon. Interestingly, none of this wouldn’t have been possible if not for the experience that Camilo Villegas’s brother boasts as an ex-professional himself.

Si Woo Kim’s caddie and his golfing past

After turning professional in 2008, Kim’s caddie has teed off in just 1 event on the PGA Tour while boasting 4 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour. However, he was able to rake in a win at the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, or more specifically, at the 2013 TransAmerican Power Products CRV Open. Quite impressive, don’t you think? Well, ready yourselves, for there’s more to the ex-pro’s feats.

Aside from the same, Manuel Villegas boasts four other international wins, including a victory at the 2018 Abierto del Club Los Lagartos, an event on the Columbian Tour. What’s more, he also won the 2010 Woodcreek Classic, the 2008 Colombian Open, and the 2010 Máster Profesional. Although he doesn’t boast the same achievements as his brother, he has managed to use his golfing knowledge to help out golfers, including Si Woo Kim, on the greens.

The two have surely managed to turn the heads of many in the community and it seems they will continue to do so. With such an experienced head behind himself, Si Woo Kim will also look to increase his rankings in the golf world, all the while proving himself alongside Manuel Villegas!