Justin Thomas will have Matt Minister, former caddie of Patrick Cantlay, on his bag for next week’s Masters after splitting with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay ahead of the first men’s Major of the year.
The American admitted it was “incredibly difficult” to announce the news and added that he would be “forever grateful” for Mackay’s contribution since the pair joined forces in 2021.
Mackay, famously the former long-term caddie of Phil Mickelson, was on Thomas’ bag when he clinched the second of his two PGA Championships at Southern Hills in 2022.
That was the last trophy Thomas lifted amid a slump in form and he will arrive at the iconic Augusta National at The Masters next week with a new looper.
According to Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, Thomas has asked Minister to fill in while he searches for a permanent replacement for Bones.
Justin Thomas & Jim “Bones” Mackay are elite in their craft. The split is surprising given the timing for sure.On the bag next week for @JustinThomas34 at @TheMasters will be veteran Matt Minister who was the caddie for @patrick_cantlay when he won the 2021 @TOURChamp.April 3, 2024
“On the bag next week for Justin Thomas at The Masters will be veteran Matt Minister, who was the caddie for Patrick Cantlay when he won the 2021 Tour Championship,” Lewis wrote on X.
Minister has been on the tour for best part of two decades and has worked with some big names throughout his career.
He previously caddied for two-time Major winner Nick Price and has also enjoyed stints with Chris Kirk, Sangmoon Bae and Cantlay.
Minister was on Cantlay’s bag when he took down Bryson DeChambeau in a six-hole playoff to win a thrilling 2021 BMW Championship before he went on to pip Jon Rahm by a shot to scoop the FedEx Cup top prize.
After the duo went their separate ways following last April's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Cantlay hired Tiger Woods' ex-caddie Joe LaCava.
-
First Ever LIV Team Playoff Sees Ripper GC Claim Dramatic Home Victory Over South Africans At LIV Golf AdelaideThe deep-rooted Australia v South Africa sporting rivalry continued with a thrilling set of extra holes at The Grange
-
Billy Horschel Blames LIV Golf Supporters For Ongoing Divisiveness In Men's Pro GolfBilly Horschel suggested that LIV Golf supporters are partially to blame for the current state of men's professional golf
-
Billy Horschel Blames LIV Golf Supporters For Ongoing Divisiveness In Men's Pro Golf
Billy Horschel suggested that LIV Golf supporters are partially to blame for the current state of men's professional golf
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Round ThreeRory McIlroy and Shane Lowry hold a share of the lead at the halfway stage, with a host of other big names in contention too
-
'He Loves Looking At Excel Spreadsheets, And I Like Playing Video Games' - Fitzpatrick Brothers Looking To Find Common Ground At Zurich ClassicThe two brothers will tee it up again in the team event in New Orleans but don't have as much in common as one might expect
-
‘I Think I Can Be Helpful’ – Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Potential Return To PGA Tour Policy BoardThe four-time Major winner resigned from the board six months ago, but with the game still fractured, he could be about to return
-
From Ryder Cuppers To A Tour Player And His Caddie's Dad - The 6 Most Intriguing Pairings At The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans80 teams are set to do battle at TPC Louisiana - and here are six of the most eye-catching
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times - Rounds One And TwoRory McIlroy plays alongside Shane Lowry in the team event, while a host of other big names are in the field too
-
Report: Tiger Woods Set To Receive $100m Loyalty Payday From PGA TourThe 15-time Major champion is set to be rewarded handsomely for sticking with the US-based circuit
-
YouTube Star George Bryan Comes Within Inches Of PGA Tour Start At Qualifying EventThe YouTube star appeared set for a place at the Myrtle Beach Classic, but a near miss on the 18th left him in a playoff, which Matt Atkins won
