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SOMEWHERE in Queensland, let's hope there's a young lad who once caddied for Steve Bowditch as a 13-year-old.
Because it could continue one of the more extraordinary golfing circles that took another magical turn on Thursday.
Bowditch joined John Senden and Ian Baker-Finch in the traditional Masters par-three contest on Thursday, the trio linked by an extraordinary quirk.
In the mid 1980s, just when Baker-Finch was forging a path through Australia's pro ranks, a starry-eyed Senden bowled up and carried his bags in the Jack Newton Classic at Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast.
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Flash forward to the mid-1990s, with Senden now following IBF's path and an exuberant young Bowditch bowled up to his fellow Queenslander at the same venue and became his caddie for a day.
Let's call it the inspirational circle of golf.
"It's amazing, you never know when you're going to be inspired as a kid, or inspire someone else," Senden said.
"It's hard to believe that story, but it's true."
At which point, Bowditch, now his neighbour in Dallas, can't contain himself.
John Senden with his trophy after winning the Valspar Championship in March. Source: AFP
"He barely remembers — and only because I told him," Bowditch ripped.
"But I'll always remember that ball flight. It was a low, boring ball flight that got to about 100 yards then just seemed to fly straight up — it was pretty cool.
"We used to call it the 'pro flight' when I was a little kid and I always remember that, just stuck in my brain.
"And now I'm here playing the Masters with him, it's unbelievable. I might get him to carry the bag for a hole or two, get him to return the favour."
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Senden's silky swing isn't news to anyone.
A product of a long and ongoing relationship with another Queenslander, coach Ian Triggs, his ball-striking is the stuff of swing gurus' dreams.
A few times in his career, Senden has shown flashes of short game prowess to match and the result is nothing less than world class.
The latest exhibition of the potent combination was at Tampa last month when the 42-year-old won his second US PGA Tour event to secure his Masters berth, but more importantly prove to himself that all his continued work was still paying off.
Senden's swing and ball-striking are key features of his game. Source: AFP
It's also another strange quirk that Triggs and Baker-Finch worked jointly to help out Senden, whose putting is occasionally hindered when his forearms become tense.
"At the Aussie Open (last) year I gave him a helping hand there at the weekend and he started to putt really well," Baker-Finch said.
The pair met again in Florida in late February and had another fruitful session in concert with Triggs.
"Putting is all about feel and it's all very well someone explaining something they feel, but until the student actually experiences it themselves, it's hard to build confidence.
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"But once John finally got the feeling, the results speak for themselves.
"He's such a sweet guy and has such a wonderful rhythm and tempo (in his long game), it would always hurt me to watch him putt with tension under pressure when nothing else looked like it had any tension in it."
Triggs said the key visually for Senden fans was to watch for him to stand up over the ball, not leaning back in his putting stance.
Remarkably, Senden made more birdies than champion Adam Scott did in his green jacket run last year — a stat that gives him great confidence despite his 35th place finish.
Senden with his son Jacob during the par 3 contest in the lead-up to the start of the Masters. Source: AFP
"I know I have it in me to perform here ... by keeping my belief I can be as good as Scotty at certain times and win one of these big tournaments," Senden said.
"My short game here through probably 48 holes last year was great and I was right around the lead through three rounds and that was the difference.
"I didn't come in with great ball striking really it was just a matter of me feeling good around the greens and I actually feel a bit the same this year.
"My putting has been feeling great and my ball-striking is something I am still trying to get back to my best but I'm confident and excited to get started."
Begins April 11 at 4.45am EST on FOX SPORTS 3HD & 3 with 4 additional channels offered through the Red Button.
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