Caddie dies after collapsing during Ladies European Tour event

The Dubai Ladies Masters has been suspended after a caddie collapses and dies during the first round.

The Dubai Ladies Masters golf tournament has been suspended after a caddie collapsed and died during the first round.

Max Zechmann was the caddie for France’s Anne-Lise Caudal when he collapsed on the 13th fairway of the Emirates Golf Course in Dubai. Medical staff transferred Zechmann to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Tournament officials suspended round one, with the tournament to resume tomorrow as a 54-holes event.

“Everyone at the Ladies European Tour is extremely shocked and saddened by this sudden death and therefore we have taken the decision to suspend first round play as a mark of respect,” Ladies European Tour CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh said.

A similar incident happened just over two years ago on the European Tour. A caddie died after suffering a heart attack during the Madeira Islands Open.

Zechmann has also previously caddied for a number of other European Tour players including German Marcel Siem, some of whom took to Twitter to extend their condolences.

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

Very sad to see the passing of another caddie. Done many rounds with Big Max. #RIP thoughts go out to his family and friends. https://t.co/vUZpgWac5S

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 7, 2016