Why Are Golf Pros Wearing Black Ribbons at the DP World India Championship 2025?
A small black ribbon — simple, silent, unmistakable. At the DP World India Championship (Delhi Golf Club, 16–19 October 2025) many players, caddies and officials have been wearing one this week. It’s not a fashion statement: it’s a mark of mourning and respect for a widely loved figure in the game — John “Scotchy” Graham.
Who was John “Scotchy” Graham?
John Graham, affectionately known across the tour as “Scotchy,” was a veteran caddie from Glasgow whose career spanned decades. He carried bags for big names on the European circuit, most famously Lee Westwood, and was known as much for his colourful personality, his storytelling and genial presence around the ropes as for his professionalism on the bag. In recent months he had been battling brain tumours and related illness; his passing was announced in mid-October 2025. Tributes poured in from players, fellow caddies and golf media across Europe and beyond.
Why the black ribbon?
Wearing a black ribbon is a customary, understated way for athletes and officials to show collective grief and solidarity when someone important to their sport dies. At the DP World India Championship the black ribbon is being worn specifically as a tribute to John “Scotchy” Graham — a sign that the tour community is remembering and honouring him during tournament week. The tournament’s social posts and numerous golf outlets highlighted the gesture and linked it to Graham’s death.
How the golf community reacted
Familiar faces on the tour were among the first to publicly mourn. Lee Westwood — one of the players who worked with Graham during major moments of his career — posted tributes and was quoted remembering Scotchy’s warmth and friendship. Golf publications and Caddie-community channels shared memories and photographs; the caddying community described him as “a friend to everyone who crossed his path.” The black ribbon at DPWIC is one visible expression of how widely he was loved.
Black ribbons in golf — a short context
This kind of collective wearing of ribbons or armbands is not new to golf. The sport’s tight-knit culture — players, caddies, manufacturers, reps and officials spending long weeks together — means personal losses often ripple through entire fields. Recent examples include black ribbons worn at other tournaments to honour the late Kayla Hale and previously other well-known figures; DP World Tour events have also observed similar gestures for past passings. These actions consistently signal empathy, solidarity, and sometimes fund-raising or memorial efforts tied to the loss.
What it means on the course this week
For fans and media watching the DP World India Championship, the ribbons are a reminder that sport happens inside a human community. Between tee shots, leaderboards and highlight reels, small gestures like these tell a bigger story — that relationships and shared histories matter. Players may speak about Scotchy in interviews, and caddies and colleagues are likely to share memories throughout the week; the ribbon is a quiet way for everyone at the event to pay respects together.
A few takeaways
The black ribbons at the DP World India Championship 2025 are a tribute to John “Scotchy” Graham, the respected Glaswegian caddie who recently passed away.
Wearing ribbons/armbands is a longstanding, respectful sport tradition used to show collective mourning and solidarity.
The gesture underscores how close the professional golf community is — losses are felt across players, caddies and staff, and public honours often follow quickly at the next events.