Butch Harmon, a renowned golf coach, expressed his shock at Justin Thomas’ breakup with Jim “Bones” Mackay prior to the 2024 Masters.
On the eve of the 2024 Masters, Butch Harmon, the former golf coach of Tiger Woods, expressed his shock at Justin Thomas’ breakup with legendary caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay.
It was just seven days before his tilt at Augusta National that Thomas took the unexpected decision to split ways with the looper.
Since 2020, Bones and JT have collaborated and experienced great success.
Although Thomas hinted at that achievement when he verified the split on X, it is undeniable that the golfer is having difficulties after going two years without a victory.
“The Ryder Cups, the Presidents Cup, and the PGA Championship in 2022 were all incredible experiences,” he wrote.
“I wish him luck and will always count him and his family among my friends. I know there are great things ahead for both of us.”
About their split, Thomas, 30, and Mackay, 58, have kept quiet.
One week prior to a major, Thomas parting ways with Bones was “very unusual,” according to Harmon, who spoke with GolfMagic.
According to Harmon, he did text Mackay a few times, but the looper withheld the reason for their breakup.
“That shocked me,” Harmon remarked. Bones has been caddying for JT for a few years; during that time, they have won two major championships. He has also spent 25 years with Phil Mickelson, making him one of the best caddies in the game.
“We’ll have to wait until one of them decides to tell us why it happened, as I spoke with Bones via text last night. He didn’t really elaborate on what happened or why it happened.
“This is a very unusual occurrence; if there was going to be a split, you’d think it would be the week after. I was very surprised that it would occur the week before the first major of the year.
To be honest with you, it’s kind of unheard of to enter a major championship with a brand-new caddie. Like most of us, I was just shocked that it actually came down.”
Matt Minister will be with Thomas at the Masters, per a report by Todd Lewis of Golf Channel.
Perhaps the most well-known association of Minister is with fellow American golfer Patrick Cantlay, who he partnered with to win the 2021 Tour Championship.
Since then, Cantlay has partnered with Joe LaCava, a former looper for Woods.
In addition to his two major victories, Thomas has won 15 times on the PGA Tour and is currently ranked 28th in the world.
Top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler is the clear favorite to win the Masters in 2024.
Leave a Reply