One of the higher profile relationships between a caddie and a PGA Tour golfer has officially ended. In a stunning move, former Alabama star Justin Thomas announced on both his Instagram and Twitter pages on Wednesday that he’s splitting up with his caddie, Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay. It’s a surprising move to make, especially just one week ahead of The Master’s. According to Todd Lewis of The Golf Channel, Matt Minister will be caddying for him at Augusta National.
Minister was recently on the bag for Patrick Cantlay.
Here’s Thomas’ announcement he posted to social media below.
“While incredibly difficult for me to say, Bones and I have parted ways. I’m going to be forever thankful for him joining me on the bag in 2021. The things we’ve been able to accomplish together–The PGA Championship in 2022, The President’s Cup, The Ryder Cups were all unforgettable experiences. His wisdom on and off the course has been a blessing during a tough stretch of my career and he was there every step of the way,” Thomas wrote on his social media pages.
“I know there are great things coming for both of us down the road. I wish him the best of luck and will always count him and his family amongst my friends.” Mackay was already scheduled to be on the call for Saturday’s final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur as an on-course reporter for NBC.
Thomas has turned the corner and found some excellent form this year on the PGA Tour, with four top 15 finishes (The American Express, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Waste Management Open, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational). He even carded a 61 at The American Express, his best round of the year thus far. Thomas shot an impressive 27-under for that tournament.
Before working with Mackay, Thomas worked with veteran caddie Jimmy Johnson. Though Thomas and Mackay teamed up for his win at the PGA Championship in 2022, it has been an incredibly up-and-down stretch for one of the game’s premiere talents. Thomas had the worst statistical season of his career in 2023 and he didn’t even make the FedExCup Playoffs. He needed a Captain’s Pick in order to get selected for the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Thomas has posted eight Top 12 finishes since last fall, greatly improving his approach play (5th in strokes gained approach). He is still working with his father, Mike Thomas, as his swing coach. But the former Alabama star has still struggled mightily on the greens, ranking outside the Top 150 in strokes gained putting (169th).
That’s something you never want to hear heading into some of the most difficult greens on the planet to putt on. The Master’s has traditionally been a course that Thomas has openly gushed about. And it suits his game, even if he hasn’t had incredible results there. He does have two Top 10 finishes (T8 in 2022 and 4th in 2020). Thomas missed the cut there last year, but he’ll always be mentioned among the favorites, because of his world-class talent. Currently on DraftKings, he’s listed as 28-to-1 to win his first green jacket.
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