Herbie and Pughy – the inside story on the Rippers’ unique player-caddie partnership 

Lucas Herbert’s last four professional victories have sparked a unique celebration: his caddie, Nick Pugh – or, as Herbert calls him, “Pughy” – sprinting toward him with arms wide, then leaping into Herbert’s arms, legs wrapped around him in jubiliation.

The duo secured a spot in this week’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush by topping Final Qualifying at West Lancashire, where Herbert’s 8-under par total (69-67) earned medalist honors. This marks Herbert’s first Open appearance since 2023 and a special moment for Pugh, who's passionate about links golf.

With his signature long beard – grown since he paused his golf career to start caddying nine years ago – and eye-catching glasses that always match the color of his wedding band, Pugh has become a recognizable figure on the course. More than a caddie, Pugh has become a vital cornerstone of Herbert’s success.  

“Pughy and I complement each other quite well,” Herbert says. “He's methodical and meticulous with things, and I'm probably a bit more artistic and spur of the moment. He picks up the minor details that I miss, but when we get in the trees and you've got to shape a weird shot around trees, he just lets me to it because he knows that that's my area of expertise.” 

Pugh’s personal story began in The Wirral, a peninsula in northwest England, the home of Royal Liverpool, better known as “Hoylake.” However, his story with Herbert took shape in January 2018 at the SMBC Singapore Open. While caddying for Jazz Janewattananond, a promising Thai golfer on the Asian Tour, Pugh met a lanky Australian who joined their practice round on the ninth tee, marking the beginning of their partnership that now is a vital part of Ripper GC’s team.

“He was this gangly Aussie kid, skinny as a rake,” Pugh recalls of Herbert, whose confident swagger caught Pugh’s attention. “He walked around like Conor McGregor. There was just something about him on that back nine. This kid is different.” Despite his intrigue, Pugh stayed loyal to Janewattananond, joking, “It’s like seeing a nice blonde at the bar when you’re with your wife – you keep an eye out, but you can’t do anything.”

Both Herbert and Janewattananond played well that week, qualifying for the 2018 Open Championship at Carnoustie with T8 and T4 finishes, respectively. “There’s still a picture of Jazz and Lucas on the 18th green, holding yellow flags for the Open,” Pugh says. 

At Carnoustie, Janewattananond missed the cut, but Pugh watched Herbert play the weekend and briefly met his coach, Dom Azzopardi. Over the next year, their paths crossed at European Tour events. As Pugh’s time with Janewattananond wound down, Azzopardi offered him Herbert’s bag.

Pugh, however, had just committed to 16-year-old Korean prodigy Minkyu Kim. “I’m a man of my word,” Pugh said, honoring his handshake with Kim’s agent. 

Kim narrowly missed a European Tour card, while Herbert thrived with temporary caddie Craig “Wee Man” Connelly, who was in between stints with two-time major champion and current Cleeks Golf Club Captain Martin Kaymer. When Connelly declined a full-time role, Pugh got the call to caddie for Herbert at the 2018 Australian PGA. Their first round was a disastrous 80, but the chemistry was electric.

“It was the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course,” Pugh said.

They shot 69 the next day, narrowly missing the cut. By early 2019, they were a team. 

Six months later, the partnership hit a rough patch. During a training week in Las Vegas, Herbert fired Pugh. “His coach and mental coach said, ‘Sorry, Nick, it’s not going to work,’” Pugh recalls. He took it in stride: “I said, ‘Lucas, you’re a great kid and a hell of a golfer. Don’t forget me. Maybe one day things will realign.’”

Pugh’s grace kept the door open. Reflecting on this period, Herbert explained what led to the dismissal: “At the time, I was pretty young and naive and just didn't understand the way people worked well enough. I was quick to find people's flaws. Nick hasn't changed since then as to who he is as a person, but I've understood the things that I saw as weaknesses to begin with actually were strengths.

“Once I learned to understand that and embrace that, I realized that we're actually a really good match from a personality point of view. The things that I needed help with, he was really strong with. I knew I could trust him. That was the main thing.” 

Pugh moved on, caddying for Kurt Kitayama for six events before another firing, then joining Johannes Veerman, an American with a smooth swing and warm personality. “Johannes was great, and his team made it a joy,” Pugh said.

But in 2020, at the Cyprus Open, Azzopardi called again. Despite enjoying his time with Veerman, Pugh believed in Herbert and made the tough call to leave. “Firing Johannes was the hardest thing I’ve done,” he said.  

Once Herbert and Pugh reunited, their personal relationship developed quickly. “We had about 18 months apart at the start and then got back together at the end of 2020. From a working relationship, we obviously built up a lot of trust in each other. There's a very deep personal friendship there as well. He's one of my best friends,” Herbert explained.

In 2021, Pugh and Herbert’s paths crossed with Veerman again at the Irish Open, where Herbert and Veerman battled in the final pairing. Herbert, loose off the tee early, rallied on the back nine. A bold driver choice on the drivable 15th, backed by Pugh’s enthusiastic “F--- yeah, I like driver” advice, sealed a comfortable victory. 

Their success continued at the 2021 Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Arriving Tuesday of tournament week, Pugh guided Herbert to his first PGA Tour win in just his third start as a member, earning a three-year exemption.

“We’re hitting a wedge into 18, and I’m like, ‘What the f---? We’re winning a PGA Tour event,’” Pugh recalled. A private jet to Mexico followed, with the duo wondering aloud, “What have we just done?” 

Success came fast – perhaps too fast. “Lucas achieved everything he wanted so quickly,” Pugh said. The PGA Tour schedule wore Herbert down in 2022 and 2023, relegating them to smaller events. “It’s a grind. This is really hard,” Pugh noted. 

In 2023, personal challenges hit. During the Scottish Open, Pugh was diagnosed with melanoma. “I told Herbie, ‘I think I’ve got a melanoma,’” he said. Herbert was unwavering: “What do you need? Don’t even think about carrying the bag this week.”

Pugh insisted on caddying at The Open at Hoylake, his home course, calling it a “life dream.” They briefly led in the first round after an eagle on 15, but a triple bogey just two holes later on 17 led to an eventual missed cut. “Golf raises you up, then knocks you down,” Pugh said with a smile.

Herbert, burnt out, then took two months off, aligning with Pugh’s surgery. 

Herbert’s loyalty to his friend was now unshakeable. “He said, ‘Dude, you’ve got a job for as long as you want. Whatever you need, let me know,’” Pugh recalled. Their bond became family-like. “We practiced, dined, argued – we did everything together,” Pugh said.  

Herbert emphasizes this closeness. “He's one of my best friends. He comes on my boys’ trip every year with all my friends. I'm pretty lucky. He's a very close personal friend as much as a business relationship too.” 

In December 2023, at Azzopardi’s 50th birthday in Australia, Herbert got a call from Cameron Smith with an offer from Ripper to join their all-Aussie four-man lineup starting with the 2024 LIV Golf season. “If I go, will you come?” Herbert asked. Pugh’s reply was instant: “F---ing yes, I’ll come.”

Although they haven’t yet had an opportunity to use their signature celebration on LIV Golf yet, the 14-event schedule was a lifeline for Herbert, who had already burnt out twice with an overloaded schedule. It also allowed him to build strength and bond with teammates like Smith, Marc Leishman and Matt Jones. “Lucas is building a house near Cam in Jacksonville Beach (Florida) – that’s how close they are now,” Pugh said. 

At the 2024 season opener at LIV Golf Mayakoba, Herbert’s debut with the league, Pugh feared another firing when Herbert texted, “Hey, what are you up to?” Pugh’s mind spiraled: “I’m thinking, ‘What have I done? We’re in such a good place.’”

At the hotel bar, seeing Herbert with his fiancée, Erica, eased his nerves. “He’s not firing me in front of her,” Pugh thought. Herbert quickly clarified, “You’re not getting fired, by the way.” Pugh laughed, “You could’ve told me that an hour ago when I was sweating in the shower!” 

Erica chimed in: “We’d like you to marry us. You can get ordained online.” Pugh’s jaw dropped. “Are you f---ing serious? You couldn’t find anyone better?” Herbert asked jokingly, “It’s a small ceremony – 12 people. We want you to do it.” Pugh eagerly accepted: “I’m in.”  

Herbert explained although it was Erica’s idea, he recognized Pugh was the man for the job. “We were talking about how he's a good mutual ground of someone both me and Erica knew quite well,” Herbert said. “We just thought he'd be a great personality for it too. To be fair, she picked him.” 

Their partnership, built on trust and triumphs on the course, has led to a new role for the once-fired caddie: Reverend Nicholas Pugh, ordained to officiate Lucas and Erica’s intimate September wedding.