Kessler Karain is best known as the longtime caddie for Patrick Reed, playing a key role in many of the golfer’s biggest wins, including the 2018 Masters. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Kessler Karain Is Patrick Reed’s Brother-in-Law
Karain has a unique connection to Reed beyond golf. He is Reed’s brother-in-law, as the brother of Reed’s wife, Justine.
Karain took over caddie duties in 2014, replacing Justine when she stepped away from the role. The transition came naturally due to their close relationship.
Reed explained why the move made sense, saying, “That’s actually a great idea because he has the same exact kind of demeanor as Justine. He has same work ethic… he’s just kind of really even-keeled.”
2. Patrick Reed’s Caddie Left a Medical Sales Career
Before joining Reed full-time, Karain worked in medical sales after graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in business administration, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He made a major life change to pursue caddying, leaving his job at Medtronic.
“On my desk was all my work basically; it was like, all right, forget this,” Karain told PGATour.com. “Typed up my two-week notice, handed it to my boss.”
He added that his boss initially thought he was leaving for a competitor, not realizing he was heading into professional golf.
3. Patrick Reed Credits Kessler Karain’s Steady Approach
Reed has often credited Karain for his calm demeanor and ability to assist with key decisions during tournaments.
“We were wondering how the transition would be. I trained him like I trained Justine,” Reed said, via Golf Monthly. “He was really good when it came to wind and club selection.”
Reed also noted that Karain’s background as an athlete helped him adjust quickly to the demands of the job.
“I don’t know what it is. That family has it when it comes to giving me advice,” Reed added.
Since Karain joined his bag, Reed has won the majority of his professional titles, including his Masters victory in 2018.
4. Patrick Reed’s Caddie Was Involved in a Presidents Cup Incident
Karain made headlines at the 2019 Presidents Cup following an incident with a fan.
According to reports, he left a cart and confronted a spectator following a match.
Karain addressed the situation in a statement to ESPN, saying, “As a caddie, one of your jobs is to protect your player.”
He added, “I got off the cart and shoved him, said a couple things, probably a few expletives… I don’t think there’s one caddie I know that could blame me.”
The PGA Tour later confirmed he would not return for the final session of the event. Reed said he respected the decision at the time.
5. Kessler Karain Has Been Part of Reed’s Continued Success
Karain has remained on Reed’s bag through years of success across multiple tours.
In 2017, Forbes estimated he was among the highest-earning caddies in golf, based on standard pay structures tied to player winnings.
Reed and Karain have continued their partnership into 2026, including a recent victory at the Dubai Desert Classic.
As Reed competes at the Masters again, Karain remains a constant presence, helping guide him through each round.
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