Anyone who has seen Phil Mickelson out and about will get the impression he’s a lovely guy.
There’s something about him, a big smile and an all round family guy.
So when it was announced that Mickelson would split with his caddy Jim ‘Bones’ MacKay after a 25-year partnership it was a shock, to say the least.
Of the split, Mickelson said on Golf Channel:
“It was just the right time in that we were hopeful that the U.S. Open would be our last event because it was where we started 25 years ago to the tournament back in 1992 at Pebble Beach, that was our first event.
“It was just time for us to do something else.”
Every cloud has a silver lining however and the man on the bag for the five-time major winner will be Mickelson’s brother Tim.
“It gives me an opportunity to spend time with somebody that I’ve really missed these five and a half years.
“My brother is somebody that I absolutely love and respect and look up to and I’ve missed him these last five and a half years when he’s been to coach in Arizona State.
“Now that he’s been managing Jon Rahm, we’ve spent a lot more time together but I’m really looking forward to spending the rest of the year with him on the bag and sharing those moments.”
UPDATE: Four years on from that big switch, Tim Mickelson was on the bag as his brother, now 50 years old but without a Major win since 2013, triumphed at the 2021 PGA Championship.
As Phil Mickelson stood on the 18th green with the Wannamaker trophy in his hands, he paid tribute to his brother for all his guidance and advice as he became golf’s oldest ever Major winner.
“It made it so much greater to have Tim on the bag with me,” said Mickelson, “and with me every step of the way.”
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