2017 was a tumultuous year in golf with some of the world’s best players splitting with their caddies, WADE PRETORIUS looks back on all the high-profile breakups.
No split was bigger than Phil Mickelson announcing that he would no longer be working with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, ending a 25-year relationship which included 5 Majors and 37 PGA Tour titles. The breakup continues to grab attention with Mackay taking up a role as an analyst.
2016 Masters champion Danny Willett and Jonathan Smart also parted ways with the Englishman struggling for any sort of form. The childhood friends, who worked together for four years, shot into the headlines when Smart left Willett after round one at the Heritage Championship and the player went onto miss his third cut in five starts. Willett’s demise continues while Smart has not taken up a bag full-time.
The next in line of shock caddie changes was Jason Day and Colin Swatton. Day axed his mentor, who remains his swing coach, as he struggles with his game.
The pair met when then 12-year Day was sent to Koralbyn International School in Queensland, where Swatton ran the golf programme. Former academy roommate Luke Reardon replaced Swatton for the BMW Championship where Day finished fourth.
The final breakup was on the scale of Mickelson/Mackay as Rory McIlroy dumped JP Fitzgerald after nine years and four Majors. The Northern Irishman moved quickly to appoint friend Harry Diamond, who continues on the bag.
