Caddy On Tour
Guna Sunthararaj, Malaysia
‘This IS My Story’ is a series capturing how The International Series shapes the journeys of golfers across Asia and beyond. Professionals, caddies, and staff share their stories and show why The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf.
Guna Sunthararaj is a veteran Malaysian caddie with nearly 30 years of experience on professional tours around the world, now proudly carrying the bag on The International Series for Sarit Suwannarut.
My name is Guna Sunthararaj and I am 45 years old, from Malaysia. I began my caddie life as a house caddie when I was just 11 years old. At the age of 13, in 1993, I was introduced to professional golf by Malaysia’s number one at the time, the late Mohd Ali Kadir. I worked with him until 1999, and that was where my journey in the world of golf truly started.
In 2000, I had the chance to work with Marcus Fraser when he was still an amateur. In 2002, Marcus emailed me saying, “I am coming back to play the World Amateur at Saujana and you are going to be on my bag.” He won that event, and afterwards told me he was going to The European Tour Q-School. The following year, I started caddying for him at the Malaysian Open at Mines Resort. From there, he brought me into the bigger world of golf: European Tour, PGA Tour, even a couple of WGC events. It was an amazing experience, getting the chance to meet top-class players and caddies from all over the world.
After my time with Marcus, I began working with David Lipsky in 2012, going from the Asian Tour to the European Tour together for almost four years. In 2015, I moved to the Japan Tour and stayed there until 2019. I returned home during Covid in 2020, but by early 2022 I started working with Sarit Suwannarut, who I continue to caddie for today.
Turning Up
One of my favourite memories on tour is winning with Sarit - his first win at the Indonesia Masters International and then his second at the Volvo China International Series. Those victories were unforgettable moments and great celebrations for our team.
Looking ahead, this will be my fifth season working with Sarit. We have already won twice on the International Series, and this year we came close to winning three more times, but other players played great golf to take the titles. Hopefully, in 2026, with the same teamwork, we can win more events and aim to graduate to LIV Golf in 2027.
From a caddie’s point of view, a great golfer is someone who can bounce back immediately after a mistake. I am always ready to share encouraging words with the player to help them push through.
Life on the road is shaped by the relationship between the caddie and the player. I always start by being straightforward: “I will work with you for two or three weeks, let us see how we get along.”
During practice rounds or on the range, I get to know the player better, including what he likes, what he dislikes, and how he wants things done. The key to a good working relationship is simple - turn up on time, keep up with your responsibilities, and know when to keep quiet.
Something New To Learn
The International Series holds a special meaning for me because it truly can be life-changing for the whole team. If you finish high enough in the rankings, your team gets a chance to play LIV Golf events, and that opportunity is huge. Every week we show up to an International Series event, our goal is the same - to try our best and win the trophy.
Looking back at my journey, going from a house caddie to a professional caddie has not been easy. Every single day, there is something new to learn, whether it is the course layout, the equipment, or something completely unexpected. You must always be ready to learn, either from your mistakes or from new experiences that come your way.
Staying motivated after nearly 30 years on tour is simple for me. Once I arrive at the hotel, I sit down with a couple of drinks and remind myself I am here: to win, not to finish second.
