Calum Hill bags strong start in Saudi alongside top caddie Phil Morbey

Calum Hill is hoping that Ian Woosnam’s former caddie has picked up a profitable spare bag this week after helping the young Scot get off to a promising start in the $3.5 million Saudi International.

Calum Hill is handily-placed along with compatriot Stephen Gallacher after the opening round in Saudi Arabia. Picture: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images.

Phil Morbey, who is better known as “Wobbly”, was at Woosnam’s side when the Welshman won the Masters in 1991.

He is one of the most experienced caddies on the European Tour and Hill was delighted to secure his services this week after his normal looper, brother Ian, returned home after the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship a fortnight ago.

“When we finished there, Ian asked me what my chances were of getting into Saudi and, at that time, I think we were still 12the reserve, so I said very, very slim,” Hill told The Scotsman after carding a five-under-par 65 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

Phil Morbey, who is caddying for Calum Hill, has worked with some of European golf's biggest names over the years, including Thomas Bjorn. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

“So he decided to go home and, when I arrived here on Tuesday morning, I found that Wobbly was available, which was great. He is hugely experienced and very good.

“It is very easy to see the success he’s had. He’s very good at accommodating the player. He meshed in very quickly to my game.”

That was evident as Hill carded six birdies in an effort that left him tied for fourth alongside US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, four shots behind pacesetter David Horsey and three behind second-placed Stephen Gallacher.

“I holed some medium-to-long length birdie putts, including a 15-footer after hitting a very nice 8-iron at the 16th,” said the 26-year-old Fifer of making a 2 on the signature hole flanking the Red Sea.

Hill recorded a top-50 finish after earning a late spot in the Rolex Series event in Abu Dhabi and is hoping to improve on that effort in another strong field, having again come off the reserve list.

“It’s a bit stressful and annoying when you are not sure what is going on and, when you finally get in, you are a little behind in terms of preparation,” admitted the three-time Challenge Tour winner.

“But, having played both here and Abu Dhabi last year, was a big help. With the purses in these first three events, just getting into them alone is huge and you obviously want to play decent.”

Hill, who was hitting balls in thick snow at Gleneagles three weeks ago before heading out to the Middle East, graduated from the Challenge Tour the year after Bob MacIntyre secured his step up to the main tour.

“I think it would be daft if you didn’t pay attention to the kind of things he is doing to help him progress,” he said of his compatriot, who won in Cyprus last year and has just broken into the world’s top 50 for the first time.

“It’s obviously motivational seeing what he’s doing and hopefully I can follow that path.”

Grant Forrest was the only Scot to break par in the opening circuit, showing his battling qualities once again as he recovered from being three-over early on to salvage a 69, helped by an eagle and two birdies in his last six holes.

David Drysdale and David Law both signed for 70, one less than MacIntyre and three better than Richie Ramsay, while Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson carded 74s.

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