In a surprising turn of events, just a week before the Masters, Justin Thomas announced that he and caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay have decided to part ways. Thomas expressed gratitude for the time they spent together, highlighting the memorable victories they achieved, such as the PGA Championship in 2022, the Presidents Cup, and the Ryder Cups. He acknowledged Mackay’s unwavering support and wisdom both on and off the course, especially during challenging times in his career.
Thomas has enlisted veteran caddie Matt Minister to carry his bag at the upcoming Masters tournament. Minister previously worked with Patrick Cantlay, and Thomas had brought Mackay on board in 2021 after his successful tenure as an NBC Sports reporter and as Phil Mickelson’s longtime caddie. Prior to Mackay, Thomas had worked with experienced caddie Jimmy Johnson.
Despite their major win together in 2022, Thomas experienced a rough patch in his career, with a disappointing season in 2023 that saw him miss the FedExCup playoffs and require a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup. Recently, Thomas has shown signs of improvement with eight top-12 finishes since last fall. He continues to work on his swing with his father, Mike, and has made strides in his approach play. However, his putting performance remains a challenge.
Mackay was set to report on the Augusta National Women’s Amateur as an on-course commentator for NBC but has wished Thomas well in his future endeavors. Thomas reciprocated by sharing his best wishes for Mackay and his family, expressing confidence that both of them have promising futures ahead.
In conclusion, despite their successful partnership that resulted in major wins like PGA Championship in 2022 and others like Presidents Cup and Ryder Cups; Justin Thomas and Jim “Bones” Mackay decided to part ways just before The Masters tournament. While it’s not entirely clear what led to this decision – reports indicate that Justin will be working with Matt Minister instead – it’s evident that both parties have expressed gratitude for each other’s contributions during their time together.
Justin’s recent struggles are no secret; he missed out on making it into the FedExCup playoffs last year and required a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup team last fall. However, there are signs of improvement – eight top-12 finishes since last fall – indicating that he is working hard to get back on track.
It remains to be seen how things will pan out for Justin going forward without Bones by his side; but one thing is certain – he has shown resilience in overcoming challenges throughout his career thus far.
