Bad All Around

There are stories that one simply doesn't know what to do with...

Yesterday news broke of the death of Iain McGregor as he was caddying for Alistair Forsyth in the final round of the Madeira Islands Open.  A sad story no doubt, but as the onion is peeled back it is not reflecting well on anyone involved.  That is, with the exception of Paul Lawrie....

From the Daily Mail:

Iain McGregor

Forsyth was playing the ninth hole on the steeply undulating Santo da Serra layout - when 52-year-old Zimbabwean Iain McGregor collapsed on the fairway and suffered a fatal heart-attack.

 Frantic attempts to revive him failed and an indefinite suspension of play was initially announced.

However the decision was later taken to resume play at 6pm, with England's Daniel Brooks eventually beating Scotland's Scott Henry on the first play-off hole.

Not surprisingly, this decision is generating intense criticism, though is defended thusly by Forsyth:

'Myself and playing partners Adam (Gee) and Tano (Goya) met tournament officials and spoke

Forsyth, center, after the tragic event.

to (European Tour chief executive) George O'Grady on the phone before taking the decision to play on, because we felt that was what Mac would have wanted.

Golf Central Daily sums up the growing pushback:

Players and caddies and others who work in and around the European Tour have been contacting me this morning, all to a man expressing their outrage that the Madeira Islands Open continued even after the death of popular caddie Ian "Mac" McGregor on the course during the tournament.

And for a lesson in how one should handle such a tragedy, look no further than former Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie:

Peter Lawrie retired from the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI as a mark of respect following the sudden death of caddie and friend Iain McGregor at Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra. 

The popular 52-year old Zimbabwean passed away shortly after collapsing on the ninth fairway and while many players were upset that the European Tour resumed play, the tour explained that it respected the wishes of his player, Scotland's Alastair Forsyth.

And Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal tweeted this:

Pablo Larrazabal @plarrazabal

Follow

Cant believe they are going to keep playing in Madeira... Live is more important than golf... #RIPmac

1:15 PM - 11 May 2014

 Shackelford points us to this Tom Johnstone tribute to McGregor

Iain MacGregor, known to everyone on tour as Zim Mac, was one of the most popular guys on the European Tour amongst both players and caddies. He always had a ready smile and loved nothing better than a bit of banter and a good laugh – often at his own expense!

He was born and educated in Harare and after school signed up with the (then) Rhodesian army for several years. Mac was known for being utterly fearless of everyone and everything, and would pursue his love of the bush by disappearing into big-game territory for a week on his own (unarmed!). He had a passion for fishing and wildlife and was never happier than when in the wilds of Africa. A true bushman.

Mac with lifelong friend Ian Wallace.

RIP.