After thousands and thousands of miles walking, there are only so many aches and pains a person can take, and arguably the world’s most famous caddie had to finally give in. Mike “Fluff” Cowan underwent surgery earlier this week on his left hip and is recovery at home, according to a report from Golfweek.

“I ignored it and tried to work my way through it, but it was time,” the 76-year-old Cowan told Golfweek.

Cowan, who ended a 25-year partnership with Jim Furyk in the spring so he could get on the bag of PGA Tour player C.T. Pan, slipped on wet grass on June 2 during the final round of the RBC Canadian Open and had to be replaced by a fan and then another caddie. Cowan and Pan then split up, and the looper returned to the services of Furyk in late June, only to be bothered enough by the hip that he could only make it through one round of the Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in early July.

“He was hobbling and in a lot of pain and he went home,” Furyk told Golfweek. “He had to bite the bullet and it was inevitable that he had to get it done.”

Cowan, who has been on Furyk’s bag for nearly all of his biggest career achievements, has a follow-up appointment on Sept. 11 and said he hopes he can drive Furyk’s cart when he captains the U.S. in the Presidents Cup in late September. He hopes to be able to carry that bag again for the PGA Tour Champions event Furyk & Friends in early October.

“I hope I have another year or two in me,” Cowan said.

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com