Philip Barbaree’s Road to U.S. Open: A Unique Partnership

What contributed to Philip Barbaree’s qualification for the U.S. Open? The answer is simple: he married his caddie.

To clarify, Barbaree, 26, met Chloe Lettau in late 2023. The former LSU standout and USGA champion was struggling, having not made a world-ranked cut in nearly three years. After securing status for the PGA Tour Americas’ Canada swing last year, Barbaree invited Chloe to caddy during an event in Alberta while she was already there to support him.

“I guess,” Chloe, who has a background in medical sales and no prior golf experience, replied.

That was enough for Barbaree, who found a light stand bag and packed some snacks. To his delight, he made his first cut, finishing tied for 23rd. “This has been our routine ever since,” he said, noting their wedding date on March 1.

The couple recently celebrated their engagement anniversary in May in Peru, where they enjoyed a 33-hole day at 9,400 feet above sea level.

A Journey Through Challenges

A decade has passed since Barbaree won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2015, triumphing over Andrew Orishack after being five down. Reflecting on that time, he says, “In one sense, it feels like forever ago, and in another, it feels like yesterday.” After enrolling early at LSU, where he had a remarkable career, he turned professional in November 2020. Despite showing promise, he faced obstacles, including struggles to make significant cuts on major tours during his initial years as a pro.

Growth Through Adversity

During this period, Barbaree even considered switching careers. After returning to Shreveport, he briefly helped his dad at a Mexican restaurant but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. “I got sick, cut my finger, and after enduring a few long nights, I decided I needed to get back into golf,” he shared.

Support from Chloe

Barbaree has always been a strong putter, but last year, he worked to improve his ball-striking with Chad Darby from the David Toms Academy. Mentally, much of his progress is attributed to Chloe, who now splits her time between caddying and her sales job. “Her lack of golf experience allows her to see things differently. If I’m indecisive, she points it out, leading us to constantly improve,” he explained.

Looking Ahead

Currently ranked No. 1,000 in the world, Barbaree has just achieved his best finish on the PGA Tour Americas with a T-3 in Bogotá, Colombia. Last Monday, during the final U.S. Open qualifier, he demonstrated resilience by turning a shaky start into a commendable finish, sharing medalist honors at 11 under.

As he prepares for the U.S. Open, he jokingly assured that Chloe wouldn’t have to carry a heavy tour bag. “We’re not breaking up the team any time soon,” he concluded with a laugh, knowing that success depends not just on golf skills, but on the strength of their partnership.