Major caddie change sends shockwaves through PGA Tour

If it seems like it’s rare for one of the best golfers in the world to switch caddies, well, that’s because it is.

Scottie Scheffler and Ted Scott have become an incredibly successful duo atop the world ranking. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy has had Harry Diamond on his bag for the better part of a decade. World No. 3 Xander Schauffele has worked with Austin Kaiser as long as he’s been on Tour. If you’ve seen Jon Rahm you’ve seen his caddie, Adam Hayes. If you’ve seen Brooks Koepka you’ve seen his caddie, Ricky Elliott, who’s been aboard for all five major wins. It’s not that big-time pros never change caddies; it’s just that it’s a big deal when they do.

Enter World No. 4 Collin Morikawa, who will have Joe Greiner on the bag beginning at next week’s Truist Championship. The news, first reported by Colt Knost, means the end of Morikawa’s partnership with J.J. Jakovac, the only caddie he has ever had as a pro.

It’s the third time in recent weeks that Greiner has made significant news in the golf world.

First came his split with longtime boss and close friend Max Homa, who he’d caddied for in the biggest moments of his career.

“I mean, it was not my choice, so it sucked,” Homa said at the Masters. “But he always had a deal that we’re friends first and friendship mattered more than the work thing, and he was wise enough to do what he did.”

Greiner then picked up a couple starts for Justin Thomas, whose caddie Matt “Rev” Minister was out with a back injury. The first of those starts came at the Masters and the second, the RBC Heritage, turned into Thomas’s first win in nearly three seasons. After the win, Thomas had to shut down speculation that he’d hire Greiner full-time.

“We both knew that going in,” Thomas said on SiriusXM/PGA Tour Radio. “It was very much a fill-in situation. We were so lucky that Joe was available until Rev got healthy. I love Joe to death, but I’m very excited to have Rev back.”

And so as of next week Greiner will jump from the bag of Thomas, who is currently World No. 5, to Morikawa, who is currently No. 4. (It’s worth noting that Homa also cracked the top five in the world, though he fell outside the top 10 last summer.)

Morikawa’s move sends two clear messages.

First is that he isn’t content with his current level of play; while he’s been in contention again and again and again he hasn’t won a PGA Tour event since the fall of 2023 and hasn’t added to his major haul since winning the 2022 Open Championship.

Second is just how highly he thinks of Greiner. That doesn’t make him unique; Greiner is a beloved and respected figure on Tour — not to mention a talented player in his own right. But the fact that Morikawa is calling off a partnership that has been very, very good suggests that he thinks a partnership with Greiner could have a chance at being great.

Morikawa and Greiner know each other well; Homa and Morikawa are good friends, fellow Cal Bears, have been frequent practice-round partners for years and have played together in team events. They also shared a coach, Mark Blackburn, for a short time; it’s safe to assume that Greiner already knows Morikawa’s game quite well.

Homa has been working with veteran caddie Bill Harke, who was on the bag for his encouraging T12 Masters finish.

It’s not clear what will come next for Jakovac, although being on the bag for a couple major championships hasn’t hurt his resume.

Thomas is expected to return to action at next week’s Truist, too, where it’s possible we’ll see Minister’s return to action. With the year’s second major, the PGA Championship, just two weeks away, every player wants to make sure he’s putting his best foot forward.

And that he has the right guy beside him, doing the same.