First-round play at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters was suspended Wednesday after a caddie collapsed and later died.
Max Zechmann, who was looping for Anne-Lise Caudal, fell ill in the 13th fairway. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Daily Mail reported that Zechmann suffered a heart attack.
Zechmann, known to many as “Big Max,” has caddied for Markus Brier and Marcel Siem, among others.
Carly Booth and Blair O’Neal, who were playing in Caudal’s group, tweeted:
Tough start today for our group to experience something so horrendous.Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Max 😪#sadday
— Carly Booth (@CarlyBooth92) December 7, 2016
At a loss for words. The tragedy that happened today in our group really puts life into perspective. My ❤️ goes out to the family #ripMax
— Blair O'Neal (@BLAIRONEAL) December 7, 2016
The event has been shortened to 54 holes, with the first round scheduled to resume Thursday.
It’s the second caddie death in the past two years, after Ian MacGregor suffered a heart attack while looping in the 2014 Madeira Islands Open.
Zechmann is survived by wife Elinor and three sons, Maximilian, Ryan and Marco, the Tour said.
A true gentleman and friend left us. He was always smiling and helping everybody where and whenever he could. We miss you. RIP Max ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/PcOTJEkUu9
— Marcel Siem (@SiemMarcel) December 7, 2016