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The Loop

How Jason Day's caddie turned the golfer's life around and led him to the Wanamaker Trophy

HAVEN, Wis. -- Right beside Jason Day and his family as the golfer awaited the Wananaker Trophy was his caddie Col Swatton. Any distinction between immediate family can be dismissed when it comes to Day and his longtime mentor. When you talk about true impact on Day's life, Swatton's influence can't be overstated.

Swatton has been there since Day was a teenager. When Day's father died of cancer, Swatton was there. When Day needed guidance in his life as a mischievous teenager drinking at age 12, Swatton was there. For all the hours that Swatton has spent next to Day as he hit golf balls -- thousands, easily, from his days as Day's instructor at the Hills International Academy in Queensland, Australia, to the hundreds of PGA Tour events they've partnered up for -- Swatton was right there.

And so he was Sunday at Whistling Straits.

That's why the emotions streamed out of Day as he talked about Swatton after his major breakthrough at Whistling Straits. Their relationship goes beyond replacing divots and raking bunkers. It's one of the most unique on the PGA Tour. Swatton's presence in Day's life was a big reason he ended up with the Wanamaker Trophy.