Masters champion Cabrera gives back to caddies, in a very big way

LEMONT, Ill. (AP) -- At most PGA Tour events, caddies can find a good meal in the "Caddywagon," a trailer that essentially serves as a diner on wheels. Whether it's eggs and bacon at breakfast or a burger and fries at lunch, the cost is usually under $5.

The exception was last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

It was free.

Masters champion Angel Cabrera walked into the Caddywagon at the TPC Boston and put an entire week of caddie meals on his tab. It was a particularly busy week because the wagon was parked conveniently next to the driving range, accessible to caddies and equipment agents. Cabrera settled up Sunday night, declining to say how much it cost.

"It's not important," he said.

The caddie whose player won the previous week typically will pick up the tab for one meal (breakfast or lunch), a tradition that has been around almost as long as the Caddywagon. But a player paying for an entire week?

"That's unheard of," said Chuck Mohr, the looper for Bob Estes.

Cabrera simply said the gesture was overdue. After winning the Masters, he said he "wanted to give the guys a present," but his playing schedule on the PGA and European tours didn't allow him an opportunity sooner.

"It is customary in Argentina that when you win a tournament, you invite the caddies to dinner," said Cabrera, who started out as a caddie himself. "I was just waiting for the right time."

Dale McElyea, president of the Professional Caddies Association, runs the trailer and was surprised by the gesture. He said players often pick up the tab for a day (Stewart Cink), and Robert Garrigus once paid for three days.

"No one has ever done this for a week," McElyea said. "And this has been a busy week."

A couple of caddies estimated the bill at close to $5,000, which can be considered a drop in the bucket for a guy who will end up making about $3 million in tournament earnings this year. Like Cabrera, they said it wasn't about money.

"It was an incredibly nice gesture," said Jim Mackay, who works for Phil Mickelson.

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