Matthew Wolff Chooses McIlroy’s Ex-Caddie Fitzgerald For Pro Debut

NCAA champion golfer Matthew Wolff has chosen Rory McIlroy’s ex-looper J.P. Fitzgerald as his caddie in next week’s Travelers. Fitzgerald, who split with McIlroy in 2017 was on the bag for all four Rory major wins.

Sounds like a great move pairing a highly touted Tour rookie and successful veteran caddie. GolfWeek’s Forecaddie supplies the details.

The veteran caddie worked with McIlroy for almost a decade until they split in July 2017. Fitzgerald’s addition to the Wolff pack strikes The Man Out Front as a savvy move by the player’s management team at Wasserman —hiring a rock-steady bagman who knows just what it’s like to guide a high-profile phenom unaccustomed to life inside the ropes on the PGA Tour.

During his time on McIlroy’s bag, Fitzgerald was respected for staying in the background, ignoring the criticism on social media, and just getting on with his job. He has not caddied since splitting with McIlroy. He divides his time between Dubai and his native Dublin.

Fitzgerald himself was a promising amateur before turning sherpa for Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley a quarter-century ago. He also had spells working for Darren Clarke and Ernie Els before being hired by McIlroy in 2008. By one estimate, he earned more than $7 million with the former World No. 1. His biggest payday came when McIlroy won the $10 million FedEx Cup in 2016.

“A tsunami just hit my bank account,” the caddie texted his boss when his percentage was paid soon after the win. “So thank you very much.”