Justin Thomas has split from his caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay eight days before the opening round of The Masters.
Mackay, who caddied for Phil Mickelson for 25 years, started working with two-time major champion Thomas in 2021, winning the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in 2022. But Thomas has struggled for form since, finishing 71st in the FedEx Cup standings in 2023.
And he has endured a frustrating start to 2024, missing the cut at the Genesis Invitational and The Players before blowing his chance to win the Valspar Championship last month, shooting a gruesome 79 in the third round to fall out of contention.
The 30-year-old, who is not playing in the Texas Valero Open at TPC San Antonio this week, announced the news on social media on Wednesday.
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"While incredibly difficult for me to say, Bones and I have parted ways," Thomas wrote. "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 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."
Justin Thomas has struggled for form this season (Getty Images)Mackay, 58, started his career on the bag for Larry Mize, Scott Simpson and Curtis Strange before linking up with Mickelson in 1992. The lefty's incredible PGA Tour breakthrough followed.
Mackay was on the bag for all but four of Mickelson's 45 PGA Tour wins, including five major championship victories. Shortly before splitting with Mickelson in 2017, Mackay had a double knee replacement.
He would join NBC and Golf Channel as an analyst and commentator after his working relationship with Mickelson ended, making a brief comeback a year later in 2018 when he substituted for Thomas' caddie Jimmy Johnson at the Sony Open.
In 2021, he became Thomas' full-time caddie. The duo enjoyed one victory together – the 2022 PGA Championship when Thomas defeated Will Zalatoris in a playoff to win his second major title.
But Thomas has struggled for form since, missing the cut at three of the four majors last season, and the world number 28 will have a new caddie on the bag when The Masters begins at Augusta National on April 11.
His previous successes mean he starts as a 25/1 shot with the bookmakers, but few pundits are likely to tip Thomas as their choice to don the green jacket at the end of the tournament given his lack of form over the past 12 months.
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