The Irish caddy who has helped Brooks Koepka to back-to-back US Open titles says he's in dreamland as an incredibly fruitful partnership continues to reap the highest rewards.
Ricky Elliott, a former Ulster Boys' and Ulster Youths champion, first linked up with the American in 2013.
Together, they've enjoyed serious success, with Koepka's second win on the bounce in the Major on Sunday giving Portrush man Elliott a €172,000 pay day.
"Brooks was in the Challenge Tour and an unfortunate situation happened with his caddy that he couldn't come to America and he needed a caddy at the PGA," Elliott told RTÉ Sport.
"I went and caddied for him and thought, 'is this guy on the Challenge Tour?' He was hitting rockets, playing brilliant.
"He won three times on the Challenge Tour and said, 'do you want to keep going? I've only got my European Tour card but I'll come to Europe'. I was like, 'Perfect, I'll go home for a little bit and work for you!'"
The rest is history.
On Sunday, Koepka became the first US Open champion in 29 years to successfully defend his title when he clinched a one-stroke victory at Shinnecock Hills.
USGA officials admitted they went "too far" with an audaciously difficult course set-up that claimed some high-profile casualties, including Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut.
Koepka came through a frightful weekend though, and Elliott is still pinching himself.
"It's unbelievable. It hasn't really sunk in. Winning it twice is unbelievable.
"Brooks was confident all week despite getting off to not a great start. He always felt the course suited him. He stayed upbeat the whole week.
"Other guys were complaining about the greens or whatever... it was the same for everybody."
