Caddie Jim (Bones) Mackay is set to come out of retirement, for one week anyway.
With Justin Thomas’ regular caddie, Jimmy Johnson, sidelined due to plantar fasciitis, Mackay will take over the bag for this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii, where Thomas is the defending champion.
Mackay, the longtime caddie for Phil Mickelson before the two split last June, has been working for NBC/Golf Channel as an on-course reporter since, including at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, which will conclude today. His last event with Mickelson was the FedEx St Jude Classic.
Thomas’ dad, Mike, took over for Johnson prior to the start of the third round of the Tournament of Champions, where Thomas is also defending.
“My legs are tired,” said Mike Thomas, who last caddied for Justin at the 2016 QBE Shootout. “It’s always nice to be able to do that with your son, though.”
Johnson has been battling the foot injury since the CIMB Classic in October and spent the past few weeks in a walking boot. He is expected to miss about a month.
Thomas, who is still considering who will step in until Johnson is ready to return, opened 71-75 and after another 75 in round three is 10 strokes off the lead.
Though he’ll stay on the bag for today’s final round, Thomas’ dad said he didn’t mind giving it up to Mackay next week.
“I’m glad to,” Mike Thomas said about losing the job. “I’m dragging butt.”