Justin Thomas has announced that he and caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay have parted company just a week before the Masters.
Thomas explained his decision on social media, writing: “While incredibly difficult for me to say, Bones and I have parted ways. I’m going to be forever thankful for Jim joining me on the bag in 2021. The things we’ve been able to accomplish together – the PGA Championship in 2022, the Presidents 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. 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.”
The highlight of their two-year partnership was victory in the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, in which Thomas got the better of Will Zalatoris in a playoff to capture his second Wanamaker Trophy. After the victory, Thomas credited Mackay for a pep talk he gave him over the weekend.
Since then, however, Thomas struggled during the 2023 season, failing to make it to the FedEx Cup Playoffs and having to rely on a controversial captain’s pick from Zach Johnson to make the US Ryder Cup team. So far this year, Thomas’s form has picked up with four top-12 finishes from seven events, but he missed the cut at the Players Championship and the Genesis Invitational.
Mackay is perhaps best known for his 20-year partnership with Phil Mickelson, with the duo winning five majors together. Mackay has also worked with Larry Mize, Scott Simpson and Curtis Strange.
Matt Minister, who previously worked with Patrick Cantlay, will be carrying Thomas’ bag for next week’s Masters. This will be Thomas’ ninth appearance at Augusta, where he has two top-10 finishes.