LIV Golf perhaps owes some of its success to a university in America. Yes, you heard that right. Arizona State University has not sent just one or two, but three players to the Saudi-backed league. The legendary Phil Mickelson, World No. 3 Jon Rahm, and the young David Puig are all ASU graduates. However, there is one more!

Although not exactly in the playing roster, but Puig’s caddie, Alberto Sanchez, is also a proud alumnus of ASU. And surprisingly, it’s not just the young LIV star that he shares a bond with. He knows Jon Rahm pretty well too; after all, they did share a room when they were not playing for the Sun Devils!

Alberto Sanchez is a golf pro-turned-caddie

Alberto Sanchez was born on June 17, 1994, and raised in Arizona. He studied at ASU. He is of mixed Mexican and American descent. In fact, from his preschool days to the fourth grade, he crossed the border daily to go to school in Sonora, Mexico, as revealed in The San Diego Union Tribune in 2012. This early Spanish exposure explains his bond with his Spanish-speaking college buddies. Early golf exposure for Sanchez involved more than just leisurely play; his college records are a testament to that, and it was a drive for greatness that led to professional play on the Tour before he became a full-time caddie.

His time at Arizona State University was not only about academics; it was also a time when he developed lasting friendships, most notably with his then-roommate Jon Rahm, and where his career goals began to take shape. He also played on their team at ASU, the Sun Devils, playing fairly well during his university days, having recorded two top-10 finishes in 11 games during the 2015-16 season.

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His professional playing career started in 2016, when, right after graduation, Sanchez competed on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica and the PGA Tour Canada. His ability to play the green was demonstrated in 2017 when he placed sixth in the Costa Rica Classic. But 2012, when he participated in the US Open at the Olympic Club at the youthful age of 17, was actually his first stint of his playing career and a noteworthy turning point. Without a doubt, this experience deepened his grasp of the challenges and rewards of the game and prepared him well for his future as a caddie.

The partnership with David Puig

Although Sanchez’s path from player to caddie is not rare, it was a logical development for him. His professional career was not at the level he had hoped for, and his love for golf kept him involved in the sport. So when fellow Arizona State alumnus David Puig burst onto the scene, Sanchez saw a great opportunity in supporting the young pro.

David Puig’s strategic approach to the game is greatly aided by Sanchez’s knowledge and understanding, and their chemistry on the course is evident. The duo’s accomplishments on the Asian Tour and LIV Golf are evidence of Puig’s skill as well as the mutual trust and teamwork that characterize their relationship. With projected earnings of $4.5 million in 2023 and Sanchez’s expected $400,000 share, their collaboration is both financially and professionally fulfilling.

The life off the greens

Like his success inside the ropes, Sanchez’s life outside of them is equally colorful and rich. His bonds with his fellow ASU friends are among the best in the business. However, the Arizona native likes to keep his private life exactly that way. His private accounts on social media do not reveal anything about the pro except the fact that he could be found playing pickleball whenever he can.

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His tight friendship with Jon Rahm, which was acknowledged by the pro when he dedicated his win in the US Open’s 2021 to his college teammates, demonstrates the strong bonds and supportive systems that sustain the golfing community. He also loves spending his time with his father, Alberto Sanchez Sr., and mother, Kristy Sanchez; the former sparks the man’s love for golf. He also has a sister, Ana Sanchez, who is four years older and graduated from USD.

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