LOS ANGELES — The first time C.J. Easley caddied for Megan Schofill, it didn’t go so well.
Safe to say the second time is working out better.
Schofill, a fifth-year at Auburn, is one of the semifinalists at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bel-Air Country Club. The highest-seeded player remaining in the field, Schofill took down the highest-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Anna Davis, to move into Saturday’s semifinal.
And having Easley, who’s set to begin his fifth year at Ole Miss this fall, on the bag has made the moment that much more memorable for Schofill.
“I didn’t putt very well in the first tournament he caddied for me,” Schofill said. “I think I was 3 over after three rounds.
“This week, he has done a phenomenal job.”
U.S. Women’s Amateur: Photos
A caddie can be an under-appreciated aspect of how well a golfer plays. In the case of Schofill, she has someone who helps keep her relaxed when tensions are high and makes strolling the rolling hills of Bel-Air a bit easier.
“I feel like it’s really hard to get a caddie you absolutely love,” Schofill said. “For me, if I have a bad hole we can talk about something else. We don’t have to harp on the bad shots. He does a great job of staying calm, which is super helpful because I can be an anxious person and he’s even keel in all aspects of his life.”
Schofill will take on Michigan fifth-year Hailey Borja at 1:50 p.m. ET (10:50 a.m. local) in the second semifinal, the winner advancing to take on the winner between Rachel Heck, a senior at Stanford, and Latanna Stone, a fifth-year at LSU.
Borja has her mom on the bag this week. Heck has her dad. The homely connections are paying off in Los Angeles.
Schofill said Easley’s best moment this week came when she completely misread a putt, but he stepped in and corrected the aim point, and she drilled it. There have also been some silly moments, like bumping into each other on the green and Schofill blaming him on her poor shots.
But there’s no one else she’s rather have by her side as she tees off starting the biggest match of her life Saturday morning.
“It has been great to have him on the bag and have my best friend with me this week,” Schofill said.
