Jim Furyk and legendary looper Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan officially part ways
Jim Furyk and legendary looper Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan officially part ways
One of golf’s favorite duos have parted ways.
Jim Furyk and Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan have officially split after a 25-year-long partnership, per Golfweek.
They first started working together at the 1999 Masters and went on to win the 2003 U.S. Open. Cowan was also on the bag for Furyk’s record 58 round at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
“It’s hard to part ways after 25 years,” Cowan said. “Sometimes the right thing to do is staring you right in the face, and you’ve got to have the guts to do it.”
The longtime looper is not retiring but already has another full-time gig. Cowan is now on C.T. Pan’s bag. The 76-year-old is on his bag this week in Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson event.
Furyk encouraged Cowan to take Pan’s bag full time, and it could be one of the only times when an amicable split actually happened.
“Love the guy,” Furyk texted Golfweek. “I’m still struggling with injuries, and I pushed him to work for C.T. full time … (Fluff) was hesitant. Because he’s a great person at heart. But I pushed and we both knew it was best for him and his family.”
Cowan is known for his iconic mustache. Better known as “Fluff,” his nickname stemmed from his resemblance to former professional golfer and broadcaster Steve Melnyk. The longtime caddie has also carried bags for Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, and Peter Jacobson.
Furyk expects to play next week at the Regions Tradition in Birmingham, Alabama, one of the Champions Tour majors. His son Tanner will be on the bag for him.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.