Henrik Stenson and caddie Gareth Lord ‘taking a break’

Henrik Stenson is the latest Tour player to replace his regular caddie after admitting he and long-time bag-man Gareth Lord are ‘taking a break’

**Update to original story: Gareth Lord will be on the bag of Justin Rose for the next few weeks (starting Jan 15 2019) as his regular bagman Mark ‘Fooch’ Fulcher is set to undergo ‘little’ heart surgery. 

**Henrik Stenson has now split with Scott Vail (March 2019) after six events

Following his second round 66 during the DP World Tour Championships in Dubai, Stenson was questioned about his caddie situation following a move to have Scott Vail on his bag this week. 

The major champion first answered coyly, replying “well, he’s going to be on the bag tomorrow and on Sunday as well.”

He then clarified that the move was one that doesn’t so far have a definitive end, after he and Lord decided ‘a little while ago’ that they should take some time apart. 

“Gareth and I we decided a little while ago that we were looking at maybe taking a break so he (Vail) is filling in for the time being and you never know we might be back out there together but for now it’s Scotty that is carrying the sticks.”

It follows the news earlier in the week that both Lee Westwood and Lexi Thompson had parted ways with their regular caddies.

Westwood, who won his first title in more than 4 years last weekend with girlfriend Helen Storey as his caddie, has opted to make that partnership more permanent after ending a 10-year run with Billy Foster the week before. 

Thompson meanwhile has replaced Scottish caddie Kevin McAlpine with her brother for the LPGA’s season ending CME Group Tour Championship, although it has not been confirmed who will be on her bag long-term. 

Vail previously worked with Brandt Snedeker for 12 years before they split in January, while Stenson has been with Lord since 2013.