Jim "Bones" Mackay

Jim "Bones" Mackay (born May 8, 1965) is an American golf caddie and golf commentator. For 25 years, he was the caddie for Phil Mickelson. On June 20, 2017 it was announced that Phil and "Bones" were mutually parting ways. He had been on Mickelson's bag since 1992 including in all five of his major championships—the 2004 Masters, the 2005 PGA, the 2006 Masters, the 2010 Masters, and the 2013 Open Championship.[1][2]

Phil Mickelson consults with his longtime caddie, Jim "Bones" MacKay, at Muirfield Village Golf Club in 2014

Mackay was born in Redhill, Surrey, England; his family moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, when he was seven years old.[1] He played golf for Columbus College in Georgia, followed by a job in the pro shop and bag room at Columbus' Green Island Country Club. There he met and began to caddie for Larry Mize and later Scott Simpson and Curtis Strange, before being hired by Mickelson at the start of his PGA career.[1] Of their long and close relationship, Mickelson has been quoted as saying "Bones is the only guy on the golf course that wants me to play well, so why am I going to sit there and berate him and treat him poorly? He's the only guy trying to work his tail off for me." He is also known for being very strict about cell phones being out during tournament play.[2]

His nickname, "Bones", was created in 1990 when PGA Tour player Fred Couples couldn't remember the name of the lanky, 6-foot 4-inch Mackay.[1][3]

In 2017 Mackay joined NBC/Golf Channel to serve as a commentator.[4]

In January 2018, Mackay returned to caddying for one week. He went on the bag of Justin Thomas for the Sony Open in Hawaii after an injury to Thomas' regular caddie Jimmy Johnson.[5]

Mackay had both knees replaced in October 2016.[6]

He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife, Jen (Olsen) – a friend of Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, who was introduced to Mackay by the Mickelsons – and their children, Oliver and Emma.[1]

References
  1. Morfit, Cameron (December 10, 2010). "Being Bones: Phil Mickelson's caddie Jim Mackay". Golf.com. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  2. Crouse, Karen (July 21, 2013). "Emotional Victory for Mickelson's Caddie of 21 Years". The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  3. "Bones". The Augusta Chronicle. April 3, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  4. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jim-bones-mackay-to-join-nbcgolf-channel-broadcast-crew-as-on-course-reporter
  5. Inglis, Martin (January 11, 2018). "Bones is back on a bag - but is it just a one-off?". bunkered.
  6. Shedloski, Dave. "Mickelson caddie "Bones" Mackay has double knee replacement surgery". Golf Digest. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
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