Mark Carens: The Pro Who Became a US Open-Winning Caddie

Mark Carens knows exactly what it feels like to stand over a must-make putt in a professional tournament — because he's done it as a player. A two-time Boston Open winner who transitioned to caddying in 2002, Carens brings a perspective to the bag that's rare: he's been the one holding the club under pressure, not just watching.

“Pros don't try to hit the perfect shot — we try to hit the predictable one. The hero shot might work 1 out of 10 times. We're playing the other nine.”

The Players Championship Breakthrough

In 2017, Carens helped Si Woo Kim win The Players Championship — one of the most prestigious events in golf. It was a performance that established his reputation as a top-tier caddie capable of delivering in the biggest moments. The Players demands precision, patience, and strategic clarity across every hole. Carens provided all three.

A US Open at Oakmont

Years of building trust and reading courses paid off at the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, where Carens helped guide J.J. Spaun to a Major championship victory. Oakmont is one of the most demanding venues in golf — narrow fairways, lightning greens, and merciless rough. Winning there requires not just talent, but exceptional strategic discipline from both player and caddie.

The Player's Eye on the Bag

What makes Carens exceptional is his ability to read what a player is experiencing — not just what he's doing. Having competed at the professional level, he understands the emotional and technical challenges of Tour golf from the inside. When he advises playing the predictable shot over the hero shot, it's not theory. It's wisdom earned over a lifetime of competitive golf.