Justin Thomas Hires Jim "Bones" Mackay As New Full-Time Caddie

The 28-year-old has acquired the services of one of golf's most famous caddies

Justin Thomas Hires Jim Bones Mackay As New Full-Time Caddie

The 28-year-old has acquired the services of one of golf's most famous caddies

For the first time since his rookie season on the PGA Tour, Justin Thomas is set to have a new caddie on his bag. 

“It came out of left field very recently. I have just tremendous respect for [Thomas] as a person and a player,” Mackay told Golf Channel. “It was an incredible phone call to get and I said yes.”

It brings to an end Thomas’ working relationship with long-time looper and recent inductee into the Caddie Hall of Fame, Jimmy Johnson.

It read: "Jimmy and I had an incredible run of 6 years together but we have agreed to go our separate ways. I 100% did not fire him, as Jimmy came to me after the Ryder Cup and told me he has decided to pursue other opportunities.

"I have nothing but respect for Jimmy and his wife Jen and I'll always appreciate all the success and times we had together, I wish him all the best."

As for Johnson's replacement, the prospect of working with JT proved too appealing to turn down.

“I love to caddie and I loved my role with NBC/Golf Channel, but it’s Justin Thomas," Mackay added.

Mackay and Thomas are familiar with each other, having worked together previously when Johnson was injured at the 2018 Sony Open and then again for a number of events in 2020, including the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational which Thomas won by three shots to become the World No. 1.

As mentioned, Mackay made a name for himself caddying for Mickelson, clinching five majors and countless worldwide victories in their 25-year stint, before stepping away from the job to become an on-course reporter for American TV. 

Thomas isn't in PGA Tour action at this week's Sanderson Farms Championship after helping Team USA romp to victory at the Ryder Cup.

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Andrew Wright
Freelance News Writer

A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly. 


Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.


As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.


What's in Andy's bag?

Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)

Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)

Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)

Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x