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Phil Mickelson returns to action without “Bones” at Greenbrier Classic

By Brandon Raper

SPRINGFIELD, NJ - JULY 28: Phil Mickelson of the United States talks with caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay on the 13th tee during the first round of the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club on July 28, 2016 in Springfield, New Jersey. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, NJ - JULY 28: Phil Mickelson of the United States talks with caddie Jim 'Bones' Mackay on the 13th tee during the first round of the 2016 PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club on July 28, 2016 in Springfield, New Jersey. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /
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The Greenbrier Classic will be Phil Mickelson’s first event since parting ways with his caddie of 25 years, Jim “Bones” Mackay

Phil Mickelson started a new chapter in his pro career at the Greenbrier Classic – you could probably title it Life After Bones. There was only one other time Lefty has teed it up in competition without Jim Mackay. That happened back in March, during the second round of the WGC-Mexico Championship, Mackay came down with food poisoning. With play already underway, Bones stepped away just three holes in. It was the first time Phil would play a round without Bones in 18 years.

Think about that for a moment: there are people who graduated high school this year (including Phil’s daughter, Amanda), who were infants when that happened. In Mexico, Phil called Bones “irreplaceable”. With the Bones era now over, though, we’ll see just how true that is at the Greenbrier Classic.

Not coincidentally, the man on Lefty’s bag this week is the same one who came to the rescue in Mexico. His brother, Tim, left his post as the Arizona State men’s golf coach last July to pursue a career as an agent. With his client, ex-ASU star Jon Rahm, ranked 11th in the world, the younger Mickelson is now tied to two of the world’s top-25.

Can Tim help Phil win again on TOUR this year?

But the question remains – can Tim truly carry on the legacy Bones and Phil built? Realistically, he

Phil Mickelson Jim Mackay
Phil Mickelson with caddie Jim Mackay during the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) /

doesn’t have to. Mickelson’s five majors, 42 PGA TOUR victories and Hall of Fame status can’t be taken away. The only thing (still) missing from Phil’s resume is the U.S. Open championship, and that’s another year away. Who’s to say if Tim will still be working for Phil next year?

What will help Phil is the relationship he has with Tim. While he hasn’t said much about how the two will work together going forward, the connection goes beyond brotherhood. Phil explained that his brother’s experience as a college coach will help him through the summer’s biggest events.

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"He has a great mindset for how to play a hole most effectively with five guys who have varying skill levels. He has a great idea how to see a golf course and play differently for a guy like Jon Rahm, who can play at an elite level."

The first time around wasn’t too bad, either. In Mexico, the Mickelsons went six-under for the three rounds they spent together. Phil tied for seventh, his best finish since last year’s Open Championship.

With Royal Birkdale right around the corner, this week at the Greenbrier should provide a nice glimpse into what the brothers are capable of doing together. Going into the second round Lefty and Tim, like everybody else in the field, will be chasing Davis Love, III.

Next: 2017 Greenbrier Classic Power Rankings

Let’s stay on top of Mickelson’s game this week at the Greenbrier Classic.

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