The camels weren’t supposed to be part of the trophy celebration. As Charley Hull posed with her newly won Aramco Team Series trophy in Riyadh in 2024, three unexpected photo-bombers appeared in the frame. While the unflappable English star barely flinched, her caddie Adam Woodward had a vastly different reaction—sprinting away from the scene in panic as cameras captured his hasty retreat. The hilarious moment quickly went viral, showcasing not just Hull’s trademark composure but the authentic, unfiltered personality of the man who’s been by her side for nearly a decade.

These unexpected moments—from camel encounters to six-hour rounds at St. Andrews—highlight a truth often overlooked in professional golf: behind every successful player stands a caddie whose contributions extend far beyond calculating yardages. For Hull, currently ranked among the LPGA’s elite players, her partnership with veteran Australian looper Woodward has been instrumental in navigating both the technical and emotional challenges of professional golf since they first teamed up in 2015.

Adam Woodward: From Australian travel business to world-class caddie

Woodward’s path to becoming one of the LPGA Tour’s most respected caddies began in Cowra, Australia—a small town that’s just four hours’ drive from Sydney. Growing up with a father who managed the local golf course, Woodward’s early exposure to the sport laid the foundation for a career that would eventually span three decades. However, his transition into professional caddying came through an unexpected opportunity when family friend and LPGA pro Mardi Lunn offered him a temporary position on her bag in 1995.

“The original plan was to do one year,” Woodward has revealed about his initial foray into caddying. The 20-year-old, unhappy working at his parents’ travel business, jumped at the chance—a decision that transformed a temporary escape into a lifelong passion. After six fruitful years with Lunn, Woodward expanded his resume with stints on the Seniors and Nationwide Tours before achieving his first major breakthrough with South Korean player Sun Youn Yoo at the 2012 Kraft Nabisco Championship.

The veteran looper joined forces with Charley Hull in mid-2015, establishing what would become one of the LPGA Tour’s most enduring partnerships. Together, they’ve celebrated two LPGA Tour wins—the 2016 CME Group Tour Championship and the 2022 Ascendant LPGA—alongside victories on the Ladies European Tour and the 2024 Aramco Team Series in Riyadh. Despite briefly splitting around 2019, the pair reunited in 2020, with Hull calling him a “best friend” and crediting his return for renewed confidence in her game.

‘Like a best friend’: Inside Hull and Woodward’s unique partnership

The 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach presented Charley Hull with a defining moment. Finding her ball positioned awkwardly under a tree, 263 yards from the green, the English star debated the risk of attempting a miracle shot. As seconds ticked by, her caddie’s voice cut through the tension with confident clarity: “You can keep it low.” The resulting shot—low, powerful, and precise—led to a crucial par that helped secure Hull’s second-place finish behind Allisen Corpuz. This split-second exchange exemplifies the trust that defines Hull and Woodward’s working relationship.

“He helps to keep me calm and really knows his stuff,” Hull has said about her caddie. “He’s been on the Tour something like 25 years, and we started working together in 2015. He’s great for me; in between shots, we talk about normal stuff and not about golf.” This lighthearted approach has proven particularly valuable for Hull, who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2023 and benefits from Woodward’s ability to maintain focus while keeping the atmosphere relaxed.

Beyond these practical advantages, their partnership has produced some memorable—and occasionally viral—moments beyond the camel incident. At the 2023 Solheim Cup, cameras captured Hull ignoring Woodward’s celebratory fist bump mid-swing routine, leaving him humorously hanging. Perhaps most dramatically, following Hull’s near-miss at the 2023 AIG Women’s Open, Woodward had to scale her roof using a trash can and car hood when they found themselves locked out, with Hull filming the escapade as he quipped, “This could end bad.”

As the 2025 season unfolds, the Hull-Woodward partnership continues to demonstrate how the right player-caddie chemistry can elevate performance at the highest levels. With major championships still in their sights, this decade-long collaboration shows no signs of losing its effectiveness or its entertainment value for golf fans worldwide.