'The Caddie' finds his calling at ESPN

Augusta, Ga.

If they don't know the name, ESPN viewers recognize the face.

Michael Collins, a.k.a. "The Caddie," has worked at ESPN since 2011. The only hair on his head grows beneath his chin, where a bushy beard that partially obscures what seems to be a perpetual smile.

If he sounds like a blend of standup comedian and a golf guru he should.

Collins, 47, did standup for 20 years. That career evolved into a stint as a pro caddie, where he carried for likes of Robert Gamez, Daniel Chopra, Rich Beem and Kevin Streelman.

That led to a gig with SiriusXM radio and eventually to ESPN, where he provides "SportsCenter" updates and also is co-host of a podcast, "Matty and the Caddie," with Matt Barrie.

He is among the commentators at Augusta National this week for the 83rd Masters and took a few minutes to try to explain his career path.

Q: Working the Masters versus other tournaments, what's different here?

A: There are two tournaments that I tell everybody on every platform on every media that I do that they have to attend — the Masters, and Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The Masters, because if you combine Easter Sunday with Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in church, that's what this is. Regardless what you believe and don't believe, when you walk into a place of worship on those days, you understand the feeling and the vibe and specialness of the place. Even if you're a complete atheist, you understand the feeling of that.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open would be the complete opposite. That is "Bachelor Party," "Animal House" and "Wedding Crashers" combined.

This is one of those places, when you walk into the gate at Augusta National Golf Club, you literally feel the history. You feel it. This is hallowed ground, and I mean in both the good and bad. You know the...