AVIDGOLFER

Rumor Central On The Mickelson-Mackay Breakup

Rick Arnett /

Just about everyone now knows that the longtime–up until Tuesday– bulletproof partnership between Phil Mickelson and Jim “Bones” Mackay is no longer. It certainly surprised the masses (including Tour insiders and caddies) as nothing appeared dire to cause the split. Of course all wanted to know why and who they’d hook up with next.

Phil immediately nixed any rumors by announcing his brother Tim (who recently looped for Mickelson when Bones was sick) will schlep the bag until season’s end.

Bones hasn’t said anything (yet) about his future plans. Some thought he’d link with rookie phenom Jon Rahm (Tim Mickelson is coincidentally also his agent and coached him at ASU). Rahm has shown an increasing frustrated temper lately and a calming force like veteran Bones would help smooth out the tantrums. However, Rahm responded quickly.


Mackay could go into broadcasting as he received excellent reviews during his one-time stint at the RSM Classic in 2015. He also recently endured two knee replacements and might want to chill for a while. I’d make a bet on the broadcasting angle–at least in the short term–until a perfect-match bag becomes available.

Here is an excellent background story on Bones from 2011. He really is a remarkable guy and changed the caddie structure for the better.

Still, gossip persists that he might take over Jordan Spieth’s bag from Michael Grellar. Spieth has looked very fidgety lately and might want another partner to shake things up, although nothing as yet from either camp.

Anyway, here are some of the noteworthy accomplishments the Mickelson/Mackay team has been over the last 25-years.


Finally, here’s what GolfChannel’s Tim Rosaforte believes could be the smoking gun ending the quarter-century partnership.

This might be true since player/caddie relationships have ended for far flimsier reasons. Both are very analytic so one doubts either made a hasty decision. Either way it was sad to see. Best wishes to the both of them.

Bones Mackay Jon Rahm Phil Mickelson Tim Mickelson