Very strange. Bones was reportedly at Erin Hills last week, scouting the course for Mickelson just in case there was a weather delay on Thursday.
Could've been Bones' knees... might've been something that occurred... Given the standup character of both Phil and Bones, I'm left believing that we'll never know.
It'll take some getting used to not seeing Bones with Mickelson.
Something happened. And that something is probably something we'll never be privy to.
I read the article. What is the "veto" thing about?
Veto thing I saw Phil talk about on "Feherty". Something about Bones being able to tell Phil 'NO" on a certain club or shot he was about to attempt and Phil would have to go along with it. I think Phil said Bones was allowed 2 a year.
The split...I'm thinking it has to do with seeing more disagreements between the 2 of them on club selection and course management. Bones is looking for him to hit more club and Phil is the opposite. Frankly, I see Bones seeing Phil getting older and is pulling "more club" for him....Phil on the other hand with his ego, is not seeing it and is forcing it.
Just my opinion from watching the 2 of them converse over the years on the course.
Phil and Bones had an "agreement" that once a year Bones could exercise a "Veto" over what club, what line,
what shot Phil should make. I suppose in most player/caddy teams the caddy makes the suggestion, but the player makes the decision about what to do with the shot. Phil usually is a gambler, and Bones, I guess, is more conservative. I wish I had some neat story about how Bones vetoed some
shot that Phil wanted to try and it turned out to win Phil a championship, but I don't know of any of that kind.
He MAY have tried to veto Phil trying to go for the green from the woods and pine straw on #13 at Augusta in the 2010 Masters (the shot that won him the tournament), but I'm not sure about that one. Maybe some other member can verify it for us.... I'll bet they BOTH wish Bones would have spoken up when Phil chose driver on the last
hole of the Open that he blew.
It just (to me) seems rather odd that after 25 years of what was undoubtedly the most popular player-caddie relationship over the past two decades on tour, that survived the numerous tumultuous ups and downs of Phil's career, suddenly leads to a mutual parting of the ways after all this time. I mean, if Bones was looking at retiring - he would've most likely grinded out the current season on Mickelson's bag, no?
Not to say that Bones needed to give Mickelson a heads-up that his knees could no longer take the wear and tear... it could very well be nothing more than that. But given their history together, how well they seemed to compliment each other in their partnership for that duration of time.... I can't help but wonder if something happened over the past month that led to this "mutual agreement."
Mickelson's best finish this season was T7 at the WGC event in Mexico. He's still ranked 24th in the OGWR, ranked around 40-something on the 2017 money list with $1.5 million.
I feel fairly confident in assuming that whatever the reason for the breakup, it wasn't about money.
A funny story about the "veto",Bones was allowed 1 a year and during the Open at Muirfield a few years ago,
Phil tried to hit a 6i out of a fairway bunker by getting down on his knees to try to reach the ball.
Bones said "NO,I'm using my veto"!
"Just take a pitching wedge and get out of the bunker"!
Phil overruled Bones stating,"veto's are only good in the Continental US"!
Phil went on to double bogey the hole....
I dare say that Steve Williams and Jim 'Bones" Mackay have enjoyed more major championship success than any other caddies in the modern era. Which brings me to this question: If Bones is looking forward to a second career with another player, which at this point (given what we don't know... which may or may not be be something that prompted the split with Mickelson) may or may not be part of his future plans:
Back in the 2015 Open Championship, as some of us may recall... Mickelson went out early that final Sunday and ultimately finished 4 shots back of the lead, which prompted Bones to hang around long enough to become a spectator in the gallery to follow Spieth the last few holes of the tournament. Spieth was in contention and trying to win his third consecutive major that year.
Bones was asked during the last few holes of Spieth's final-round at the British Open that year what he personally thought of Spieth. "I just think the kid is special," Mackay said. "I think he's gifted between the ears. When I say gifted, I mean like Jack Nicklaus-gifted. Jordan is going to do amazing things because he's such a killer between the ears." And Bones went on to say, "Jordan's the closest thing to Tiger, mentally, that I've seen out here."
Which brings me to this question: if Bones is looking for a "second-act" in his caddying career, would Spieth consider dumping caddie Michael Greller to have one of the most prominent caddies of the modern era on his bag?
Or maybe John Rahm, who seems destined to win at least a few major championships, given his level of play and the potential that the long-hitting Spaniard has moving forward in his young, aspiring career?
Lots of questions... very few answers.... why would Jim "Bones" Mackay suddenly decide that he and Mickelson have enjoyed their better days and that a change is needed? Could it be an undisclosed health condition that prompts his retirement? Or perhaps that Bones realizes that however great Mickelson's game is despite his 47-years of age, he's not winning enough, or finishing high enough, in tournaments to continue the gig and that Phil's commitment level isn't where it used to be? Or could it be that Bones feels that he's still got a lot to offer for a younger, more promising player?
And should it be that latter aspect in play, who wouldn't want someone like Bones on their bag?
Would Bones have made a difference in the 2016 Masters as Spieth stood on that 12th green? Not to relive the past, nor any disrespect intended towards Michael Greller, but the caddie's obvious inability to reel in his player's focus on that hole to influence Jordan's target clearly shows a disconnect of trust within the player-caddie relationship.
Not to assume that Mickelson hasn't "overruled" Bones on more than one occasion.... most notably on the 72nd hole @ Winged Foot back in 2006.
But could Bones get Spieth back to the level where he was prior to the 2016 Augusta Meltdown? Or perhaps be the calming influence for a promising, yet highly emotional John Rahm?
This breaking news over the last 24 hours begs more questions than answers. And one additional question: Who does Mickelson bring in to caddie for him with what's left of his career? Joe LaCava has been mentioned, which can't be completely ignored, depending on LaCava's intentions as far as whether or not he's had enough of looping for big-names and is ready to call it a career?
I don't see Mickelson's brother holding down the position for the remainder of his career, not if he truly feels he has enough left in the tank for another major victory.
Like I said, more questions than answers.
Speith aint getting rid of Greller anytime soon.
If Bones in not retiring, you'll see him on Rahm's bag at some point in the not-too-distant future.
Ya heard it hear first.
If you're right, then we'll know that the split was cordial. If Bones does not end up on Rahm's bag anytime soon, that would be a sign of bad blood between Bones and Lefty, given how Tim is Rahm's agent.
On an exchange between the Phil and Bones during an event a few weeks ago, I spotted what I thought was a testy exchange between the two over a shot. As the camera came on, Bones was talking, but I couldn't really hear what he was saying. At one point, Phil interrupted him and said in a tone that struck me as frustrated or exasperated, "Look, just give me a number. I need a number."
That something wasn't quite right between them seemed kind of obvious.
I'm not saying I saw this coming, but I certainly was taken aback by what seemed like friction between the two.
Good synopsis. Might've been Phil's third shot (from the drop area) on the 17th @ TPC?
And it's worth noting that Phil dunked his third shot on that particular hole.
Bones might be at the point where he's endured about as much as 25 years would allow. Great tandem, but maybe time to move on for the both of them. New knees, a chance to earn some retirement cash with a more promising player, a second chapter of his career.
blader If Bones does not end up on Rahm's bag anytime soon, that would be a sign of bad blood between Bones and Lefty, given how Tim is Rahm's agent.
...........That speculation quickly included Rahm, who has ties to the Mickelson family. Rahm starred at Arizona State under the tutelage of Tim Mickelson, who quit his position as men's golf coach to become Rahm's full-time agent once the Spaniard turned pro last year. Tim Mickelson will serve the remainder of the season as his brother's new caddie.
But Rahm explained in a video in both English and Spanish that he has no plans to part with his current looper, Adam Hayes, with whom he won the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year and has risen to No. 11 in the world.
"I just wanted to clarify a couple things I've read on social media," Rahm said. "The rumor about me and Bones is both really unfair and untrue. I love the relationship with my caddie, Adam Hayes. He's a great guy, we work well together. There's no way I would ever change it."
rsvman lol, you may be wrong on both counts.(Speith not getting rid of Greller) Bones thinks very highly of Speith and his ability/capabilities. And Jordan's not doing well currently, & from watching, I don't think him and Greller are getting along as well as in the past. Players may make a caddy change for no other reason than it being a 'mental' thing. And Jordan appears to be getting very 'mental' this season. IYKWIM.
It's hard to say whether Spieth would've enjoyed more success with Bones on his bag versus Greller. But two things are very much apparent: Bones has caddied for 25 years on tour and has much more knowledge regarding both the proper misses and the green-reading aspects than Greller.
Given Speith's putting prowess over the years, and given his need for both him and his caddie to be functioning at a very high level for him to win - Bones (I think) would be a difference-maker going forward.
And given Bones' admitted appreciation and respect for Jordan's talent over the years, it would just seem like a very good partnership all the way around.
Whether Spieth is the type of player who would dump a close friend for a more seasoned caddie? He doesn't strike me as the type who would do that. Greller is where he is primarily because of his friendship with Jordan, more so than his technical expertise as a caddie. Greller (imo) isn't that great of a caddie. He most always refers to Jordan regarding club selection and target selection... Jordan's talent (particularly back in the early part of his career) has made Greller look a lot more competent than he really is, imo.
But I would be shocked to see Spieth dump Greller nevertheless. Which, imo, speaks volumes as it relates to him appreciating those who've stood in his corner, despite his own level of play in major championships in recent years.
But do I think Bones would give him a huge boost of confidence? Absolutely.
OR.............He could write a book.
Phil and Bones were a great act. My enjoyment of golf on TV is mostly watching Phil the thrill. I often think of Bones as a guy talking someone off a ledge.
It's been a wonderful association that has provided entertainment, excitement and excellence like no others. I will miss it.
It would be interesting to see some stats on how successful long time caddy breakups improve the game of the golfer. I know there are other factors involved but the Tiger/Stevie split didn't seem to improve Tiger's situation. Perhaps Stevie suggesting that Elin use a 9 iron was ill advised.
I think one of the biggest regrets that Joey LaCava has is taking Tiger's bag. Unless, of course, he wanted to be able to say that he caddied for one of the all-time greats. I still think LaCava has a few years left in him as a looper, and I dare say he could still be a huge advantage on the bag for any number of promising young players today (Justin Thomas, Spieth, DJ, etc.)
As for Bones... the same obviously applies, but he made a lot of money with Phil and it's not a given that he wants to continue looping, especially given his double-knee replacement surgery. I guess we'll see.
But as it relates to the modern-day caddies... Stevie Williams, Bones, LaCava and Fluff Cowen have enjoyed an enormous amount of fanfare. Not sure anyone, outside of Rory's caddie perhaps, that has enjoyed as much success in this modern era.
We give all these players their due credit for performing at a high level, but there's no denying that their caddies have played a significant role in their success.
So here's the real reason for the split?
