Matt Van Eden has been caddied for five years for his favorite Max McCardle at the Isuzu Queensland Open – and today the South Australian had a special surprise for his prodigy.

McCardle met his young caddy for the first time with a billet arrangement with the Van Eden family in 2014.

Matt, 11 years old at that time, offered to pack McCardle on the bag and has since then caddied for him every year.

In between tasks, the Junior Golf Queensland member has succeeded in reducing his own handicap from 18 to 2.

Today McCardle had a surprise in mind for his young doppelganger – a surprise in his group.

McCardle starts his campaign Isuzu Queensland Open – with Matt at his side – tomorrow at 7:55 am from the 10th with Brad Moules and amateur Zubair Firdaus.