Darren Woo is a 56-year-old firefighter. He works full-time for the Savannah River Site Fire Department and also volunteers for Columbia County. He's been a caddie at Champions Retreat, about 20 minutes from Augusta National, for six years. He's also a father to five boys.
Two weeks ago, Woo looped for three @RazorbackWGolf players during a practice round at Champions – one of them was Maria Jose Marin. When Marin asked Woo if he'd caddie for her at @anwagolf, Woo jumped at the chance. Behind the scenes, Marin's father, Jose, was giving up the bag, telling his daughter, “I love you with all my heart, but you need someone that knows how to handle a tournament of this level.”
Woo had zero experience at Augusta National, though his calming presence and positivity earned him the loop for Saturday's final round. Arkansas coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said Woo's southern accent was so calming, that one could "meditate to it."
Throughout the final day, Woo encouraged Marin with things such as:
Be confident.
You’re going to work it out.
Give yourself a chance.
Keep your head up.
Breathe.
"He was my greatest support during the whole week and a key to the victory," Marin said.
Woo revealed after Marin's win that he worked a 14-hour shift that ended at 7 a.m. Saturday, less than four hours before Marin's tee time. He also shared that he not only has one granddaughter but he has two more grandchildren on the way.
“Maybe I’ll be lucky enough and have three granddaughters," Woo said, "and they can all grow up to be like Maria.”
ESPN launches its annual @TheMasters 'Georgia On My Mind' campaign 🎶
Featured in 2025, 2x GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter @NoahKahan
Coverage begins April 9 with the Masters Par 3 Contest
⛳️ Noon ET, ESPN+ & @DisneyPlus | 2p ET, ESPN
🔗https://t.co/qcUXMRulHs | @ESPNMusic
. @TheMasters is adding a new "Azalea" cocktail mix package to its "Taste of the Masters" offerings this year. Costs $64.95 and includes a branded cocktail mix bottle (no alcohol), cups, recipe card and Masters-themed jigger: https://t.co/LRtZk8J4S1
Augusta National Golf Club, in partnership with the Community Foundation for the CSRA, is donating $5 million towards the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, which will support local relief efforts in response to the devastating impact of the storm throughout the greater Augusta community.
“Our Augusta community has suffered catastrophic and historic impact from Hurricane Helene. We currently are assessing the effects at Augusta National Golf Club.
In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”
— Chairman Fred Ridley
For competitors and their families, playing in the Masters is a dream come true. Follow along as Lacey Homa, Max's wife, takes you through the Masters experience from a family perspective. #themasters
ESPN presents live coverage of @AAC_Golf from Australia
⛳️ Featuring 120 of the top amateur golfers from the Asia-Pacific Region
⛳️ Winner receives an invitation to play in @TheMasters & @TheOpen
⛳️ All 4 rounds available on ESPN2 or @ESPNPlus