Justin Thomas announced that he and caddy Jim “Bones” McKay had parted ways before the Masters.
Thomas, 30, took to social media to explain the decision:
“Although it is very difficult for me to say it, Bones and I have parted ways. I will be forever grateful to have Jim joining me in the bag in 2021. The things we were able to accomplish together – the PGA Championship in 2022, the Presidents Cup, the Ryder Cup “They were all unforgettable experiences. His wisdom on and off the field was a blessing during a difficult time in 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 among my friends.”
McKay first worked with Thomas when Jimmie Johnson, Thomas' then-bag bag, suffered a series of health issues in 2020. Thomas eventually parted ways with Johnson in the fall of 2021 and McKay made his permanent ring. The highlight of their work together was the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, where Thomas defeated Will Zalatoris in a playoff to claim his second Wanamaker Cup. After the win, Thomas credited McKay with the pep talk he gave over the weekend.
“I'm pretty confident I wouldn't be standing here if he didn't give me that. It wasn't necessarily a speech, but a speech, if you will,” Thomas said. “I just needed to blow off some steam. I didn't need to bring my frustration and anger home with me. I didn't need to leave the golf course in a negative frame of mind. I played a very good four-putt and I felt like I played poorly. And (McKay) “Dude, you've got to stop being so hard on yourself,” he says. “You're in competition every week we play. It's a tough golf course, it's a major tournament. You don't have to be perfect. Just don't be so hard on yourself. Just let things happen, And everything is moving in the right direction.
“You know, I've been pretty spoiled here,” McKay said after the win over Southern Hills. “It's amazing, you know, something very special to me. I love the caddy. It's the greatest job in the world. It's been really good for me. I've been insanely lucky. To be here with someone means a tremendous amount… as You know, all the guys I've carried a bag for I'm grateful for them, but I've just had a great journey here as a carrier. I'm grateful for that.
However, Thomas struggled during the 2023 season and failed to reach the FedEx Cup playoffs, and although his play has improved this season, he still has issues on the green.
Prior to joining Thomas, McKay spent the past four years as an analyst for Golf Channel/NBC. He is perhaps best known for his 20-year partnership with Phil Mickelson, in which the duo won five majors together. McKay has also worked with Larry Mize, Scott Simpson and Curtis Strange.
It's not clear who will be on Thomas' bag for next week's Masters. This will be Thomas' ninth career start at Augusta National, where he has two top-10 finishes.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
