Who is Collin Morikawa’s caddie?

The California-born golfer is already a multiple major champion, so who is Collin Morikawa’s caddie?

Every top player needs a good caddie, and the American certainly has that in the form of a man who was a great player in his own right.

Having worked together for several years, Collin Morikawa and his caddie have struck a winning partnership, claiming two major titles and multiple PGA and DP World Tour titles.

The man to witness Morikawa’s rise is Jonathan Jakovac (JJ), and his experience as a player and caddie has propelled Morikawa to the top of the sport.

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Who is Collin Morikawa’s caddie?

Also raised in California, Jakovac was a promising golfer. He attended California State University and was one of the country’s top collegiate players.

He won two national championships and his college coach Keith Thomas said he was so well-known across the country it was ‘remarkable’.

“People would seek out our team just to see him,” Thomas said.

Jakovac turned pro but was unable to make it through PGA Tour Q-school, so turned to caddying.

At that point, he secured his first job on the bag of Matt Bettencourt, one of his former amateur golf opponents.

They teamed up in 2008, despite Jakovac having no caddying experience. Shortly after, Jakovac teamed up with Ryan Moore, and worked with him for more than seven years.

He was at Moore’s side for the deciding match of the 2016 Ryder Cup, but the pair went their separate ways at the 2019 PGA Championship.

That experience has helped Morikawa, as he made his Ryder Cup debut in the winning team at Whistling Straits in 2021 before lifting the Presidents Cup the following year.

Through a friend who worked as an agent, Jakovac linked up with Morikawa, who was a hot prospect without a regular caddie. They first worked together at a qualifier for the 2019 US Open.

It proved an inspired decision for the pair to join forces, with multiple wins quickly following – including the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open.

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The second major was particularly special as it fell on Jakovac’s 39th birthday, with Morikawa leading the Royal St George’s crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday following his win.

After a six shot win at the Zozo Championship in October 2023, Morikawa heaped praise on his caddie.

“He’s the best,” Morikawa said at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. “We’ve sat on the range for longer than I think I’ve ever hit balls on the range for the past two years.

“He’s stuck through it. He’s done more than what I could have ever asked out of a caddie, and that’s saying a lot.

“It’s not like these guys are just carrying a golf bag, you know? He’s right there. He’s a friend, he’s a mentor, he’s someone I rely on, he’s someone I respect. He’s everything. I wouldn’t be here right now without him.”