Phil Mickelson on look-out for new caddie as Masters looms

Phil Mickelson will have a new caddie on the bag ahead of his latest tilt at a Green Jacket. 

The three-time Masters champion stormed into runner-up finish with a final round 65 at Augusta National last year with younger brother Tim Mickelson by his side.

But seven years on from his split with Jim Bones MacKay, Mickelson will have a new bagman once more.

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Mickelson has revealed that his brother Tim is retiring from caddie duties to focus on family life in a tribute on social media.

“I’ve had some great accomplishments in my career and getting to share them with my brother Tim has been beyond special,” Mickelson wrote. “I’m very lucky to have had him on the bag for me the past eight years and as my brother for life.

“So much has changed since he was single and we started working together. He’s found his life partner, Maranda, they’ve had their second son, and hopefully their family will continue to grow.

“While Tim is retiring from caddying, I’ll always cherish the many great moments we’ve shared on the course, and I look forward to many more special moments off the course, too.”

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Tim had worked as Jon Rahm’s agent and a men’s college golf coach at Arizona State before becoming a full-time caddie for Phil in 2017.

Phil won three times with Tim on the bag, including the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, where he recorded a famous sixth major triumph aged 50.

And it appears that Phil has lined up a new caddie ahead of his next LIV Golf event next week at Trump Doral outside Miami.

According to Golfweek, veteran PGA Tour caddie Jon Yarbrough will Mickelson’s looper for that tournament, as well as that the Masters.

Yarbrough is veteran caddie who has spent the last decade on the bag of Scott Stallings, while he has also caddied for Gary Woodland and Bill Haas, as well as former LPGA star and Solheim Cup captain Suzanne Pettersen.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.