HABOOB

Zaven Collins, Arizona Cardinals LB and J.J. Watt’s caddie

Feb 8, 2023, 12:19 PM
Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins chats with PGA pro Jon Rahm and retired NFLer J.J. Watt on Wedne...
Arizona Cardinals LB Zaven Collins chats with PGA pro Jon Rahm and retired NFLer J.J. Watt on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Scottsdale. (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)
(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

SCOTTSDALE — Zaven Collins, starting inside linebacker or premier caddie?

The MIKE linebacker was a surprise addition to the Annexus Pro-Am at the 2023 WM Phoenix Open on Wednesday despite being left off the celebrity list.

But instead of teeing it up alongside newly retired teammate J.J. Watt, Collins was on the future Hall of Famer’s bag for the event.

Luckily for Watt, Collins knows a thing or two about being a caddie, having served as one at the Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa growing up.

How much that helps Watt among a sea of fans and fellow celebrities covering TPC Scottsdale remains to be seen, though.

“J.J.’s going to be really freaking nervous today,” Collins said. “I get scared with three people on the tee box that I’m playing with. … We’ll see. Playing on the field is a lot different than playing on this field.”

“I actually gave J.J. a tip the other day that he said changed his golf game completely,” the LB added.

Golf has served as a bonding moment for Collins and Watt, who have played multiple times since the pair showed up in the desert in 2021.

Their outings have led to some memorable moments, none more than Collins’ punishment of rolling down the fairway as a rookie for forgetting Watt’s breakfast.

But when it comes to who reigns supreme on the links? Collins knows he has the upper hand — even if Watt disagrees.

“Today hopefully it’s J (playing well) but most of the time it’s me,” Collins said while Watt disputed the claim. “Most of the time when me and J play it’s laid back, but he does have some strict rules.

“He’s definitely gotten better over the last year and a half that we have been playing. I’m usually getting after him on the course when we play.”

Haboob

Fans fill Camelback Ranch during the MLB Spring Training baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and...
Wills Rice

Dog makes fantastic home run snag during Cactus League game

A dog made the play of the day in the outfield grass on Saturday following a home run during the Dodgers-Royals Cactus League game.
2 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks' Josh Rojas (10) celebrates his home run against the Colorado Rockies with Dav...
Haboob Blog

D-backs’ Josh Rojas calls David Peralta ‘a traitor’ while mic’d up vs. Dodgers

D-backs 3B Josh Rojas didn't mince his words on Thursday when talking about former teammate and current Dodger David Peralta.
4 days ago
David Peralta #6 and Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after scoring on a si...
Haboob Blog

Former D-backs OF David Peralta rekindles Eduardo Escobar’s cat fear with Team Venezuela

David Peralta had some fun with Eduardo Escobar's fear of cats when they were teammates with the Diamondbacks.
7 days ago
Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats is fouled by Maxime Raynaud #42 of the Stanford Cardinal in...
Haboob Blog

Arizona’s Oumar Ballo after win: Stanford can ‘go home … study science’

Arizona center Oumar Ballo heard Stanford's Harrison Ingram proclaim Stanford as the biggest, baddest team a day prior.
17 days ago
Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots in the second half against Patrick Beverley #21 of the...
Haboob Blog

Patrick Beverley says he pestered Deandre Ayton in postgame food line

Seemingly every time Patrick Beverley matches up with the Phoenix Suns extracurricular actives ensue.
19 days ago
Arizona Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll (AP Photo/Matt York)...
Haboob Blog

Alek Thomas is not a fan of Corbin Carroll’s face when he runs

But while the Corbin Carroll is considered No. 1 in the organization for quickness, No. 2 is all teammate Alek Thomas sees when he runs.
26 days ago
Zaven Collins, Arizona Cardinals LB and J.J. Watt’s caddie