Caddie says Campbell and Perry 'a great pairing'
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Judd Burkett, caddy for Chad Campbell, gave interviews Thursday and Friday to his hometown paper, The Amarillo Globe-News, while in Augusta for the Masters. Campbell is a co-leader with Kenny Perry heading into Saturday. Burkett, 35, has been his caddy for nine years.
Thursday, April 10
So what was your day like starting out with those five birdies?
"Every shot at this place is so intense you just take it a shot at a time. We were aggressive because of the pin placements. On one, two, three and five it was a green light and on four Chad just made a great putt.
"The greens were soft and not baked out. But I think that's what they wanted were low scores (Thursday). I look for the pins to be tough Friday and Saturday and then on Sunday you will see the traditional pins."
What did you guys talk about?
"The usual things. I give him the yardage, wind direction, if we have had a similar shot. We know this will only be the second round (today) so you have to stay in the moment. You can't stray."
What were the crowds like when Chad was on the roll?
"They love to see good golf so it was pretty cool hearing them. We had some friends following us and we enjoyed that. We played with Boo (Weekley) and they really like him so it was a fun day."
Chad ended his round with two bogeys. What words of wisdom did you offer him?
"We laughed about it. Hey, he made a ton of good shots and what you do is add up the final score and it was a 65. What we do is try to stem (our emotions) no matter how we are playing. If you are playing good, you are still out there trying. If you are playing bad, you are still out there trying."
How will Chad handle being the first round leader of the most famous golf tourney in the world?
"He'll be fine. We led the Masters in 2006 on Saturday so I think that will kind of help him. You know you've been here before. He's playing OK. This course tends to bring out the juices and enthusiasm of everybody. Chad reacts in a positive way to that atmosphere and isn't afraid to shoot a low score."
Any superstitions you will continue today?
"I have my Sooner red on under the jump suit. My wife went to Oklahoma and I'm a big OU fan."
Friday, April 11
So are you staying with your Oklahoma Sooners clothes under your white caddie suit?
"Oh, yeah. Have to wear it," Burkett said.
Chad will be paired with Kenny Perry on Saturday. Is this a good thing?
"It's a great pairing. We've played a lot with Kenny and know him well from the Ryder Cup. You shouldn't ever let who you are playing with be a concern, but I have to admit it can be sometimes. Not with Kenny. He's a lot like Chad. It is easier to know you are playing with somebody you know and like."
With a share of the lead, what will be your mind-set be?
"Just go out there and do the same things we have been doing. Here, you can't worry about anything but the shot you are playing. You have to stay in the moment. So our mind-set will be like the last two days. But it was really tough out there (Friday) with the pin placements."
How do you explain Chad's front-nine effort of 8 under after two days?
"Those are kind of the getting holes. The course changes at 9, 10, 11 and 12. What everybody does is go out there and see what opportunities you get. Chad is great at that."
Chad said in an ESPN interview he has been calm on the course both days. Is that how you see it?
"Absolutely. He has been at ease both days and never in a hurry. He has a rhythm and calmness about him. It's so easy out here to beat yourself up over the course of a round or over a year worrying about your mistakes. Chad's really good at avoiding that. Not getting too high or getting too low."
Are you enjoying your Masters experience?
"Having done this nine years, you do the same thing so often. But there is no place like this place."
As the official chef of the Campbell-Burkett group in Augusta, how's your cooking been these two days?
"I'm at the barbecue right now. I'm enjoying it."
