EVANS — With March Madness nearing a close, Tobacco Road made its way to Champions Retreat this week.
As Duke grad Phoebe Brinker prepared for her fourth Augusta National Women’s Amateur start, there will be a familiar face on the bag: University of North Carolina golf legend — and her aunt — Suzy Whaley.
With Duke men's basketball set to square off against Houston in the Final Four on Saturday, both shared plenty of material leading up to the event.
“Yeah, that's the only downside,” Brinker said Tuesday with a laugh. “She is such a competitive person, so we already have that. But yeah, definitely a bit of a family rivalry going on.”
Brinker is one of four Blue Devils in the field, including 2024 grad Emma McMyler, junior Andie Smith, sophomore Katie Li. The Wilmington, Delaware, native earned All-American honors last season and an individual ACC title in 2022.
The 23-year-old is looking to qualify for Saturday’s final round for the first time after falling short each of the last three years. She’s looking to use the familiarity of the course to her advantage.
“Yeah, it's really helpful,” she said. “I kind of know all the spots to miss and where you don't want to miss, so it's really helpful during a practice round day because I can play more free and not have to re-learn a new golf course.”
Whaley has worn many hats during Brinker’s life and career but being her caddie this week could make for one of the best memories for the duo yet.
“For Phoebe, I love being an aunt out here,” Whaley said. “I’ve been her coach, I’m her aunt, I’m her confidant, but for us to get to walk these fairways together and have the opportunity to watch her play in this — I know this is her fourth time, but this is my first time inside the ropes with her, so I’m excited to be a part of it and I’m just here to help.”
Whaley has been there and done that. She qualified for the Greater Hartford Open in 2003, the first woman to qualify for a PGA Tour event in nearly 60 years. In 2018, she became the first female president of the PGA of America. Still, the chance to experience this tournament with her niece may well top them all.
And for those wondering: Should Brinker make it to Saturday’s final round, her aunt will indeed be on the bag at Augusta National Golf Club.
“Oh, heck yeah,” Whaley said, adding that they’d use a local caddie for Friday’s practice round.
The two know each other so well, some might argue that could be a blessing and a curse.
“We just have so much fun together and she really lightens the mood and loosens me up, instills the confidence in me that I need,” Brinker said. “So overall, yeah, it's a great pairing.”
“I think it’s more of a blessing because of her demeanor,” Whaley added. “Phoebe is incredibly level-headed, pretty easy going, very easy to talk to, doesn’t get aggravated ...
