logo
‘He was scraping the bottom of the barrel' – Caddie who battled booze and drug addiction now on bag for Ryder Cup hero

‘He was scraping the bottom of the barrel' – Caddie who battled booze and drug addiction now on bag for Ryder Cup hero

Scottish Sun16-05-2025
Ace has a surprising job outside the golfing world
CAD YOU BELIEVE IT
CAD YOU BELIEVE IT 'He was scraping the bottom of the barrel' – Caddie who battled booze and drug addiction now on bag for Ryder Cup hero
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A CADDIE who battled booze and drug addiction is now carrying bags for Ryder Cup hero Luke Donald.
Sam Matton, 36, is regarded as a top caddie who once held hopes of becoming a superstar golfer himself.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
Caddie Sam Matton has battled booze and drug addiction to become a caddie for Luke Donald
Credit: Getty
3
The pair are working together at the PGA Championship
Credit: Getty
He began playing at the age of 12 and eventually spent six years as a professional playing in mini tours across Europe.
Matton packed things in to become a teacher 10 years ago.
But the lure of the green came calling again and he ended up in the world of caddying.
However, Matton left the course two years ago as he battled drinks and drugs.
READ MORE IN GOLF
TEE-RIFIC Rory McIlroy worth £260m as Sunday Times Rich List sees golf icon take top spot
The ace bravely underwent a self-imposed recovery, telling The Athletic: 'Things were way, way out of control.
'It got worse and worse and worse and finally was so far off track and I had to walk away, take some time off. It was as simple as that.'
Matton's belief and determination, coupled with a new gym and diet regime, helped him take control of his demons.
And now, he is caddying for PGA Championship hopeful Donald, 47, who currently sits joint-third in the rankings after Day One.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Reflecting on the shock call he received from Donald last summer, Matton said: 'Really, even now, I don't know why. He was scraping the bottom of the barrel.'
On his recovery, Matton added: 'This isn't something I hide from. I'm very open about it.
CBB star rushed to hospital after horror golf cart accident as stag do goes wrong
3
Matton has been open about his addiction problems with Ryder Cup captain Donald
Credit: Getty
'The important thing isn't where you've been, it's where you're going.'
Donald, who led Europe to the 2023 Ryder Cup and has been named captain again for this year's edition. certainly appreciates Matton's honesty.
Donald said yesterday: 'He was extremely honest about everything.
'That was all I needed to hear. Everyone deserves second chances and everyone makes mistakes. Sam seems to have figured it out.
'He's in a much better place, and I'm all for supporting that. I think having him out here is good for him.
'It keeps his mind busy and he's very popular among the caddies. Everyone knows him. This is a healthy space.'
Despite being back on the big stage, Donald's schedule is not full-time enough to become Matton's main job.
So the Swindon-born caddie will next week be working on a job site laying down the foundation for a new build.
He added: 'S**t work but it pays and it makes me appreciate these long walks, that's for sure. I'm not taking a minute for granted.'
On Donald's PGA hopes, Matton noted: 'He's still a long shot but it's not impossible.
'I think he can hang around if he just keeps on keeping on.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Watch as I'm A Celeb star is left horrified as family member gets easy popstar question wrong – do you know the answer?
Watch as I'm A Celeb star is left horrified as family member gets easy popstar question wrong – do you know the answer?

Scottish Sun

time19 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Watch as I'm A Celeb star is left horrified as family member gets easy popstar question wrong – do you know the answer?

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN I'm A Celebrity star was left mortified when her own cousin got an easy popstar question wrong on Family Face Off. Social media influencer Nella Rose was left beside herself when it became apparent that her cousin did not know the answer to an 'easy' question on the new Channel 4 digital series. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Nella Rose was left fuming when she realised her cousin did not know the answer to an easy question Credit: Channel 4.0 5 Nella could not believe that she knew the answer but her cousin did not Credit: Channel 4.0 5 Afo was asked which popstar had been sent to Space Credit: Channel 4.0 Family Face Off is a modern take on All Star Family Fortunes and is hosted by comedian and online personality, Darkest Man. During the first episode, Love Island star and The Morning After host Indiyah Polack took on I'm A Celeb star and YouTuber Nella Rose and her family in order to be crowned the top celebrity family. But things quickly go awry as Nella is left dumbfounded by her cousin being unable to answer a very easy question. In The Sun's exclusive first-look clip at the digital series, Darkest Man tells Nella that the next question will be based on the topic of Science. Looking at her family playing alongside her, she chooses her cousin Afo to take on the all-important question to bag a point for their team. However, it quickly falls apart when it emerges that he is the only one of their team to not know the answer to the question. Afo is asked: "Jeff Bezos sent an all-female crew into space, including which popstar?" As soon as she heard the question, Nella can be heard making noises as she walked around the set with her hands in the air as it became apparent that she knew the answer - but Afo did not. She can soon be heard jokingly exclaiming at the camera: "Turn that s*** off!" Clearly unaware of the answer, Afo tells the host: "Lady Gaga." I'm A Celeb's Nella Rose returns to YouTube for first time in three years and slams show for 'editing her like a troublemaker' Darkest Man soon clarifies that the answer is in fact Katy Perry as Nella and her fellow teammates all confirm that they would have been able to correctly guess the answer. Would you have been able to correctly identify the answer? Despite this, Nella and her family still lead the competition as they held a total of 5 points to Indiyah's total of three points. Throughout the series, other stars including Chloe Burrows, Angry Ginge and Krept & Konan are all expected to appear. Family Face Off is available to watch on the Channel 4.0 YouTube channel. 5 Nella held her head in her hands Credit: Channel 4.0

Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn explains why he quit Strictly telling fans ‘sorry I've let you down'
Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn explains why he quit Strictly telling fans ‘sorry I've let you down'

Scottish Sun

time19 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn explains why he quit Strictly telling fans ‘sorry I've let you down'

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KRISTIAN Nairn has spoken out about his decision to quit Strictly Come Dancing. The Game of Thrones star, famed for playing monotonal friendly aide Hodor, was forced to pull out of the show due to injury. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up His replacement will be confirmed tonight on The One Show – but in the meantime the actor has taken to social media to share his thoughts on what went down. 5 Kristian Nairn has spoken out about his Strictly exit Credit: kristiannairn/Instagram 5 The actor says his 'vitals spiked' due to stress and grief, which became a concern Credit: PA 5 The actor is beloved as Game of Thrones Hodor Speaking to the camera from his home, Kristian revealed he had prepared a written statement, joking it felt "like a wedding speech" but he wanted to be honest about what was going on. "I've been given a wonderful opportunity to become part of the Strictly Come Dancing family, as you may know, but sadly I'm having to withdraw from this year's show," he said. Going into more detail, Kristian noted that he had been dealing with "a high level of stress and a little bit of grief". "I've always been my mother's son and I've always powered through things like this in the past and any other time in my life," he added. "I think I've got a pretty healthy attitude to stuff like this... I thought I did at least. But for the first time it's manifested physically and it's caused a spike in my vitals, in sort of an area of concern." When the spike materialised, Kristian sought medical advice, and was recommended that he withdraw from the show while it was looked after. "I'm a big guy, always have been ever since I've set foot on this earth," he said. "I take my health very seriously and I do see my doctor all the time. "I was checked for the show two weeks before and everything was fine, so he was happy for me to take part." Kristian assured fans he was "ok, under treatment and his doctor isn't concerned" but it will take two-or-three weeks to get him back to normal. Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup IN FULL - including Game of Thrones star & famous YouTuber Sadly, this means withdrawing from Strictly, which is known for its gruelling and face-paced routines. "I'm not going to have time for the show - I'm not going to have time for the training," he said. "I also don't want to leave them, you and my other contestants hanging, that's not really fair." Kristina admitted he was "gutted" to be out saying he spent months preparing and "looking forward to taking part". But he thanked Strictly bosses for their "understanding" and support. "So, let's see what happens when I get sorted. I'm gonna be taking it easy for now and I'll be able to return to work very shortly," he continued. "I'm so excited for this but not only for myself but for the people the amazing people from my home of Northern Ireland. "It's always been my honor to in some way and my weird way to Just to be, I'm just to show that I'm from Northern Ireland. "I'm very proud and I'm sorry I've let you down in any way. But I'll continue to do my best." 5 Kristian apologised for 'letting people down' as he spoke to camera Credit: kristiannairn/Instagram

Oisin Murphy can bang in my big 7-1 tip on day three of the York Ebor Festival
Oisin Murphy can bang in my big 7-1 tip on day three of the York Ebor Festival

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Oisin Murphy can bang in my big 7-1 tip on day three of the York Ebor Festival

Blink and you might miss the big race MATT CHAPMAN Oisin Murphy can bang in my big 7-1 tip on day three of the York Ebor Festival Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) G'Day mate. It's time for some Aussie fun at York on Friday. It's all about speedsters on the Knavesmire and Australian raider ASFOORA has every chance of going three places better than last year when she was fourth behind Bradsell in the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Chappers fancies the raider from Down Under to strike gold at York on Friday Credit: Getty It promises to be a belting renewal, with the usual suspects joined by a splash of juvenile challengers in Lady Iman and Spicy Marg. Those youngsters carry just 8st 2lb, and try and take the dash like and other two-year-olds have done like High Treason (1953), My Beau (1953), Ennis (1956), Lyric Fantasy (1992) and Kingsgate Native (2007). The day three feature is a wide open and fascinating renewal. The juveniles do get a big weight advantage, but this is a different ball game for all of them. ASFOORA is the each-way play for me. My Henry Dwyer-trained raider hasn't been at her best recently, finishing fifth to American Affair in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and then seventh in the King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood when the easy ground would have been a big negative. All accounts suggest she is working well and as a former King Charles winner she's bang in the mix class-wise. She's the one for me under Oisin Murphy. The Nunthorpe is the highlight on ITV, but there are four other races on the show starting with a handicap over 1m4f. This race is lacking pace. For that reason, I'm going for a turn up in INSANITY, who can lead or go close to the pace if one of the big priced runners goes to the front. Insanity won well at Ayr earlier in the season and wasn't totally disgraced when third at Ascot last time. He's up 1lb for that effort but his mark of 97 is workable. Up in class next for the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup over an extended 2m. This should be simple for Ascot Gold Cup hero TRAWLERMAN, who can make all under William Buick for John & Thady Gosden. The Godolphin front-runner has to give 3lb and more away, but he's just better than this lot and should shrug off any pace pressure from Al Qareem. Sweet William might be the danger. A big race for the juveniles in the Group 2 Gimcrack for colts over 6f. A huge chance for DO OR DO NOT who has no excuses in this for Ed Walker and Tom Marquand. First time cheekpieces are added to a maiden who has banged his head against the door in being placed here, in the Coventry, in the July Stakes and last time when third to Zavateri in the Group 2 Vintage. He is arguably the best maiden in the country who has run a few times. Finally, a handicap for fillies and mares over an extended 1m2f. WONDER STAR might be ahead of the handicapper for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. The daughter of Sea the Stars went handicapping at Goodwood last time off a mark of 82 and ran a cracking second in a biggish field. She's up 2lb for that but I suspect it won't stop her! Good luck! FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store