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.
-
Which Professional Golfers Use AimPoint?The green reading method is extremely popular in both the amateur and professional game, with multiple players seen using the process during tournaments
-
Investec South African Open Championship Prize Money Payout 2025One of the oldest golf tournaments in the world comes from Durban Country Club
-
'That Ball Shouldn't Have Bounced Back' - Did Brian Campbell Receive The Luckiest Break Of All Time On His Way To Winning Mexico Open?The American hit a tame, booming slice during a playoff with Aldrich Potgieter but received a lucky bounce that maintained his quest for a maiden PGA Tour title
-
Brian Campbell Wins Mexico Open at VidantaWorld In Dramatic PlayoffBrian Campbell defeated Aldrich Potgieter at the second playoff hole to claim a first PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld
-
Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches Prize Money Payout 2025The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches sees a $200,000 increase over 2024, with Austin Eckroat returning to defend his title at PGA National
-
Mexico Open Round Four Tee Times 2025Aldrich Potgieter enters the final round at Vidanta Vallarta with a one-stroke advantage as he attempts to seal a first PGA Tour title at the age of 20
-
Defending Mexico Open Champion Makes Cut On The Number After Rules Penalty ReversedJake Knapp made the cut on the number at Vidanta Vallarta, but almost missed the weekend until a penalty was reversed on his final hole on Friday
-
Jordan Spieth To Make Tournament Debut In PGA Tour Event After Late EntryThe three-time Major winner was a late entry into the Cognizant Classic on Friday, as Spieth is set to tee it up at PGA National for the first time in his 12-year pro career
-
Aldrich Potgieter Goes Driver-Driver At 661-Yard Par 5 To Take Mexico Open LeadThe 20-year-old South African pulled off a moment of magic at the Mexico Open, as he fired a 10-under second round of 61 to lead going into the weekend
-
PGA Tour Issues ‘Constructive’ Update After White House Meeting With President Trump And Yasir Al-RumayyanThe PGA Tour has released a statement, describing talks at the White House on the reunification of the men's game as "constructive"
