Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Phil Mickelson and Bones end 25-year partnership

By Carter Mackenzie

May 26, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Phil Mickelson gets direction from his caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay before teeing off on the 9th hole during the second round of the Dean & Deluca Invitational golf tournament at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Phil Mickelson gets direction from his caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay before teeing off on the 9th hole during the second round of the Dean & Deluca Invitational golf tournament at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

One of the great duos in all of sports broke up suddenly as Phil Mickelson and caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay announced the end of their 25-year partnership.

Phil Mickelson is truly one of those rare athletes whose every move is breaking news. Last week, he withdrew from the U.S. Open to attend his daughter’s high school graduation. It was a great move, although he did hold up the process by waiting until the last minute to do so with hopes of a weather delay.

Mickelson is nothing if not unpredictable. The announcement Tuesday morning that Mickelson and his caddie of 25 years, Jim “Bones” MacKay were parting ways caught the golf world completely off guard. The sudden announcement left players, caddies and fans scratching their heads wondering why.

Mickelson and Bones have been one of the most successful teams in the history of the game. Bones has been on the bag for 41 of Mickelson’s 42 career wins, including all five of his major championship wins and 11 Ryder Cup appearances. Both Mickelson and Bones stated there was no incident that lead to their parting ways. The situation has been presented as it was just time for both to make a change.

More from Pro Golf Now

It is well known that Mickelson and Bones are close friends off the course and both were adamant they would remain so. They both even joked about how Bones’ annual veto power of a shot per year wasn’t transferable to Phil’s new caddie, who will be Mickelson’s brother for the remainder of this year. The next event he has committed to is the Greenbrier Classic, which begins July 6 from The Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

The first time Mickelson tees it up without Bones on the bag is going to be eerily reminiscent of seeing Joe Montana in a Kansas City Chiefs Jersey, don’t you think? Mickelson and Bones together had become a billboard for professional golf in this day and age. Their 25 years together were one of the great runs in all of sports.

The only reasonable explanation speculated thus far is that Bones is struggling to recover from a double knee replacement last winter but that remains just a logical guess as there’s been no official reason given just yet.

This story will continue to evolve in the coming days for sure but the bottom line is one of the greatest duos in the history of the game has come to an end after an incredible 25 years.

Next: 5 groups to watch at the Travelers Championship

For all the latest news and notes from the world of golf, please be sure to check back in with us each and every day. You can give us a like at the Pro Golf Now Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at @ProGolfNow.

Home/Golf News