Which Golfer Employs Shay Knight as His Caddie? Insights on Viktor Hovland's Caddie Partner
Rebel without a Cause: The Salty Saga of Viktor Hovland and Shay Knight
Golfing prodigy Viktor Hovland from Norway has been an unstoppable force in the world of golf, maintaining his status as one of the best for most of his professional career. With 11 wins under his belt, a spot on two Ryder Cup rosters for Team Europe – most recently triumphing in 2023 – and top-10 finishes in three out of four Majors, he's proven himself on the green.
His trusty companion on the course? None other than Shay Knight, the Aussie looper who's been in the game for over 15 years, having worked with players like Matt Jones, Aron Price, DJ Trahan, Martin Laird, Chez Reavie, Jerry Kelly, and Sean O'Hair before landing the gig with the Norwegian sensation.
Their association began when Hovland was gearing up to turn pro, seeking a permanent caddie. After a chance encounter at the 2018 Mayakoba Golf Classic, Viktor and Shay formed an alliance thanks to Rickie Fowler's former caddie, Joe Skovron.
"Joe called me," Knight told The Caddie Network. "It was no secret that Viktor would be turning pro at some point this year. Like Viktor, Rickie went to OSU - there's a strong contingent of OSU guys on the PGA Tour and most are represented by the Wasserman Media Group, including Rickie and Viktor now. Joe asked me if I'd have any interest in caddying for Viktor when the decision to turn pro was official, and my answer, obviously, was yes."
Their first official week together was at the 2019 Travelers Championship, finishing in a tie for 54th. Knight considered that initial stretch a preliminary assessment for both parties to gauge compatibility.
"That first week was sort of an assessment for both of us," Knight said. "I think the first week, from a mental side, you know if you'll click or not, in my opinion. Travelers week was to see if we would get on well with each other. That's half the battle."
Hovland quickly left an impression on Knight as well. "He has the ability to take one side of the golf course out of play, which is huge," Knight said. "He drives it very straight. I'm also impressed with his mental approach. He's a very calm guy. He can get angry, but lets it go quickly. It's really exciting for me. I'm as excited now as when I first came out on Tour to be able to watch a kid grow out here."
Knight was born in Sydney, Australia, but skipped college golf to embark on his looper career. His childhood favorite golfer was Brett Ogle, and his dream fourball consists of Mila Kunis, Blake Shelton, and Aaron Rodgers. His all-time favorite course is Old Sandwich. As for the most cherished memory from caddying, it's playing Cypress Point on a perfect Monterey day. Kate's favorite food is seafood, and her preferred tipple is Tito's vodka. The best movie she's ever seen is Shawshank Redemption.
In a post-2025 Valspar Championship interview, Knight revealed that they pass the time on the course by conversing about conspiracy theories and other alien life subjects – a quirky method to keep things light during competition.
During their time together, Viktor Hovland and Shay Knight have found shared interest in discussing unconventional topics while on the golf course, such as conspiracy theories and the possibility of alien life, to keep their spirits light during competition. Shay Knight, who was born in Sydney, Australia, and has been a caddie for over 15 years, is currently caddying for golfing prodigy Viktor Hovland, the Norwegian sensation who has achieved 11 wins and multiple Ryder Cup appearances.