Edmonton’s Danny Sahl is making a living in professional golf — just not the way he originally planned. He is presently earning his money not by swinging clubs but by carrying them. Now don’t take that the wrong way. He can still play well, and he has high aspirations regarding that, but for now he’s content working as a professional caddie rather than as a professional golfer.
Sahl did become a playing professional in 2001 after a sterling junior career in Alberta, which included the 1995 Juvenile Boys Championship and 5 appearances as part of Team Alberta. But on the PGA Tour Canada, he found the winner’s circle only once, in 2011, at the Syncrude Boreal Open in Fort McMurray. Overall on that tour, Sahl had one runner-up finish and accumulated seven top-10 finishes as he fought to climb to the top.
While he didn’t make it to that level as a player, Sahl, who’s easily identified on the course by his mid-calf black socks and black-frame eyeglasses, made it to the top by carrying clubs. As such he’s done exceptionally well as Corey Conners’ caddie. Prior to that, the Albertan also lugged the sticks for PGA players Ben Curtis, Mike Weir and Vijay Singh
Speaking after Round 2 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the outstanding 7,700 yard Plantation Course on Maui, the first words out of Sahl’s mouth were, “Yeah, it’s a tough walk but a beautiful one!”
In fact, his pay cheques are also likely considered beautiful as Conners has earned approximately $13M (US) since he and Sahl joined forces in 2021, a sum which the caddie takes a percentage of.
“Corey’s my guy. I’ve learned a lot of golf from Mike Weir and Vijay Singh and now Corey. I think my knowledge with my experience has helped Corey out, I think a lot, with what I know. We have similar games, so it was easy for me to work with him. We both went to Kent State (University where they played for the Flashes). We had the same college coach, so it’s a nice connection that way.”
Speaking to the reason for him changing from being a playing pro to a carrying pro, Sahl commented, “I just ran out of resources to keep going. I still had it in me when I started out with Mike Weir. I got into a couple of events,” but the income from his finishes back then weren’t enough to keep the dream alive at that time. “I had the opportunity to caddie, and you know what? I wasn’t doing great as a pro, especially with what these guys do. Right now, I’ve been on the bag for 20 years and I still work on my game as hard as ever.”
He continued, “For me, this is the next best thing. You’re still around the guys at the highest level. I always wanted to be out here on the PGA TOUR. Unfortunately, I’m on the other side, but hey, I’m in the thick of things.”
While Sahl, now 45, has made a good living working for Conners and others, he wants to get back into the swing of things himself. Thus, he’s set his goal to make the grade on the Champions Tour when he turns 50. He noted that caddying has helped him improve his game by observing others who play at the top level.
“I just love the game. I study it. I watch everybody. I’ve got a good eye for the game. The swing, what the trends are. You’re practicing at the highest level. I’m not hitting the shot but I’m still seeing it,” and for him, the dream of moving from carrying to swinging remains high on his to-do list.