EFL cult hero in shock career change with ‘most random role ever’ as US Open

AN EFL cult hero has made a shock career change after landing a new role at the US Open.

Portsmouth icon Carl Baker was once a big name in the EFL.

The 41-year-old starred for clubs like Coventry and MK Dons.

But it was at Fratton Park where he really made his name.

Baker scored nine goals in 50 games for Pompey.

And he even helped them seal the League Two title in 2017.

However, after retiring in 2022, Baker has now entered the world of golf.

And he is now set for a surprise appearance at the US Open next month.

That’s because Baker will be caddying for two-time DP Tour winner Robert Rock.

The pair appeared together for Monday’s qualifying event, with Rock sealing his spot at the tournament for the first time in 12 years.

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And Baker can’t wait for his time on the green after a whirlwind adventure.

He said: “It’s the most random thing ever. I am mates with Rocky and have played with him most weeks over the last year and coached his son.

“He played on the European tour for the last 20 years and retired two years ago, but still goes into the qualifiers for the major events.

“He’s played at Walton Heath in Surrey for the last 10 or 11 years and never qualified.

“I think 95 percent of the 150 to 160 in the field are all tour pros, all massive names and millionaires who do it as a full-time job.

“Obviously Rocky doesn’t play much anymore, just once a week socially, so he hasn’t got a caddy.

“So I said to him that if he’s thinking of playing in the US Open qualifier to let me know because I’d caddy for him.

“He said that would be great so we went down on Monday and played two 18 holes on the same day.

“We went there with zero expectations and I was just buzzing to be on a top golf course in this country and inside the ropes with all these players I am used to watching on the telly, so it felt a bit surreal being in the clubhouse with all these top golfers everywhere.

“Rocky turned up and didn’t even have a practice round, every player had yardage books so they know how far the flag is and where the bunkers are etc.

“They are something like £70 each for these books so we were just winging it.

“The player we were playing with – a full-time pro on the European Tour – was laughing and joking about Rocky qualifying, and then he chipped in off the bunker on the 16th and went to nine under, which is where he finished.

“We were walking back and there were Sky Sports cameras and hundreds of people following us.

“I was 20 yards behind him carrying his bag and people were coming up to me and congratulating us and telling us to enjoy America.

“I hadn’t got a clue what was going on. It was the first time I have ever done it and hadn’t got a clue what I was doing.”