'It Was The Toughest Decision I've Had To Make In My Golf Career - Zalatoris Splits With Caddie

Zalatoris split with his caddie, Ryan Goble, on Friday night, with the American stating 'he's a brother for life'

Zalatoris and his caddie
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sackings within golf are not uncommon, with individuals looking for any way they can to improve their game. Whether it is a new coach, or new bagman, players will look for ways to find that extra 1%.

Will Zalatoris is regarded as a future star in the game, with the 25-year-old racking up superb results in Major and PGA Tour events. However, on Friday evening, Zalatoris split with long time caddie, Ryan Goble, stating it's "the toughest decision he's had to make".

Zalatoris walks on with his caddie behind him

Zalatoris and Goble at The 150th Open Championship

(Image credit: Getty Images)

"Ryan's a brother for life," stated Zalatoris. "We've kind of had a rough month together and it was starting to affect our relationship. I know guys say that when they split, but it really was. We were guys that would love to have dinner together and hang out and it started -- what was going on on the course was starting bleed off the course and that's not what you want. 

"He's an incredible friend, I love him to death and I told him I had to do what's best for me. Like I said, he's just an amazing friend. You know, obviously you can tell how hard this decision was on me, especially the timing of it, but I think it was just getting a little unhealthy for both of us and it was -- obviously it hurts. 

"But going forward, I'll have Joel Stock on the bag through the Playoffs and pretty much going forward from there. But as you mentioned about Josh, it was great having him read the lies out of the rough. I've got to give him credit for the hole-out on 11 and keeping me in the round today especially after kind of a rough start."

Zalatoris walks with his caddie

Zalatoris and Josh Gregory during the third round of the Wyndham Championship

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The pair had been working together for three years, with Goble on the bag for Zalatoris throughout the early years of the Korn Ferry Tour. Debuting for the American in July 2019, Goble helped his boss to the PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year honours in 2020-21, with Zalatoris securing multiple top 5 finishes in Major Championships.

Eagling two holes on Friday to make the cut, the two were obviously close, with Zalatoris revealing they hugged it out after the conversation: "He's basically been my best friend for the last three years. He was my only caddie I had on any sanctioned Tour, on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, and so, like I said, it's the toughest decision I've had to make in my golf career and I had to do what I think is best going forward. Like I said, nothing's permanent and we'll kind of see how everything goes from here."

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x