The only Bermudian professional golfer to make the cut in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship last week was not playing.

Without launching drives, laying up, making sand saves or holing putts, Camiko Smith affected the leaderboard in the manner that all caddies do, managing their boss around the course.

Smith’s knowledge of Port Royal goes back to his days of using it as a playground with Spring Benny Road, Sandys, his place of origin, and his expert input contributed in no small part to the success of PGA Tour debutant George Bryan, something the popular YouTuber was most grateful for.

“It’s cool having Camiko on the bag,” said Bryan, the older half of Bryan Bros Golf, which includes Wesley Bryan.

“He's a fantastic golfer and a better person, so it’s been cool to hang out with him the last five or six days and have him be a part of this journey, because he’s made it. My game’s been good and it's been fun to come out here, compete and hold my own.

“I feel at home being among these wonderful guys who play golf for a living.”

The journeys of Smith and Bryan have encompassed many similarities in terms of the struggle to advance to golf’s upper echelon.

Smith has bounced back and forth between Bermuda and the United States, taking part in mini-tour events and Monday qualifiers in search of golfing fulfilment, while Bryan has thus far fallen short in his quest for top-tier membership.

A poignant request from Bryan’s younger brother Wesley, a member of the PGA Tour, enabled him into the Bermuda event, where George at 35 two years the elder, justified his selection in coming in under the cutline.

“Having a good player on your bag, I mean, he knows the game,” said Bryan, formerly more known as a college All-American and trick-shot artist who makes much of his living as a YouTube content producer, with the brothers’ channel hosting 225,000 subscribers.

“He’s been there. He knows what you feel, the pressures, the situations, so having someone who’s really familiar with the game and good at it really helps me.

“He's been at that level of competition so he understands what the pressure of tournament golf is, so he can relate from that aspect.”

Smith was a fan favourite at the event, signing autographs for children and adults alike, and knew exactly how his player was feeling.

“Dropped on top of that are the pressures,” he said. “I’ve played in two of these tour events and have an understanding of the pressures of it and the need to stick to your own game and not everybody else’s game.

“I tried to keep him locked into that as well. For him it’s the confidence that he can compete with these guys and he’s one of the better ball strikers out here. So it's all of that, paired with a lot of mental aspects.”

Smith noted his local knowledge as a plus, even as Bryan pointed out a poor club recommendation on at least one hole.

“I think the local knowledge has helped a little bit,” began Smith before George interjected.

“Except when you gave me the three iron instead of a four.”

“Yeah, we might have drawn that up a little crooked but it worked out pretty well,” was Smith’s recovery.

“Easy for you to say,” George retorted. “You’re not the one that got embarrassed.”

Such was an indication of the playfully serious relationship developed between the pair, who were brought together by Wesley, for whom Smith had previously caddied for.

Of course, making the cut also means getting paid, with George Bryan earning $13,325 after finishing in 69th position. Caddies generally earn 10 per cent of the boss’s earnings, so Smith would be looking at somewhere around $1,330. Wesley Bryan received $27,625 after placing joint 37th.

But, to the 38-year-old Smith, the money pales in significance to the journey.

“I tell you what, that stuff doesn’t really matter to me,” he stressed heading into the final round.

“It’s not at all about the money. It’s about, one, we are around the same age and it’s his first to event. It’s almost like I’m looking at myself in the mirror.

“The money’s the money, which people talk about all the time, but I’m very content with these last two years.

“I caddied for Wesley last year and didn’t get in. He asked me to caddy for George when I didn’t get in, so everything has lined up well.

“I'm 120 per cent content with the way everything went. No wishing and wondering, I’m good.”

Asked if he was taking tips from Bryan on delving into the YouTube world both broke into laughter, and If Smith is to become a successful influencer he may want to study more the comedic talents of Bryan, who resembles Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, replete with horned rimmed glasses.

Asked if he was aware of the likeness he quipped: “If you mean a little skinny, kinda trendy, then yeah.”