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.
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The 41-year-old played for clubs including Coventry and MK Dons.
But it was at Fratton Park that 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 now he’s set for a surprise appearance at the US Open next month.
That’s because Baker will caddy for two-time DP Tour winner Robert Rock.
The pair appeared together in Monday’s qualifying event, with Rock securing his place in the tournament for the first time in 12 years.
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And Baker can’t wait to get on the field after a whirlwind adventure.
He said: “It’s the most random thing ever. I’m friends with Rocky and played with him almost every week last year and coached his son.
“He played on the European tour for the last 20 years and retired two years ago, but he still goes to the qualifiers for the big events.
“He 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 professionals in the field are all tourism professionals, all big names and millionaires who do this full time.
“Obviously, Rocky doesn’t play much anymore, just once a week socially, so he doesn’t have a caddy.
“So I told him if he was thinking about playing in the US Open qualifiers to let me know because I would caddy for him.
“He said it would be great, so we went on Monday and played two 18 holes in the same day.
“We went there with no expectations and I was looking forward to being on one of the best golf courses in this country and inside the ropes with all these players I’m used to watching on television, so it was a bit surreal being in the clubhouse with everyone. these best golfers everywhere.
“Rocky showed up and didn’t even have a practice round, each player had yardage books to know how far away the flag is and where the bunkers are, etc.
“They cost about £70 each for these books, so we were just winging it.
“The player we were playing with – a full-time professional on the European Tour – was laughing and joking about Rocky qualifying, and then he came out of the bunker on the 16th and went to nine under, which is where he finished.
“We were coming back and there were Sky Sports cameras and hundreds of people following us.
“I was 20 meters behind him carrying his bag and people were coming up to me and congratulating us and telling us to enjoy America.
“I had no idea what was going on. It was my first time doing this and I had no idea what I was doing.”
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