Collin Morikawa’s surprise caddie change ahead of the PGA Championship turned heads across the golf world. After six successful years with J.J. Jakovac—a partnership that began with Morikawa’s rookie season and yielded two major titles—the 27-year-old has brought Joe Greiner onto the bag. On the matter, what stood out most in Morikawa’s recent comments on the Dan on Golf podcast wasn’t the strategy behind the hire, but rather his gratitude toward Max Homa, Greiner’s longtime partner, for handling a delicate situation with grace.

“I did talk to Max a little bit, just to kind of tell him what I was doing,” Morikawa said. “And I appreciate Max just taking the phone call, because I’m sure from Max’s perspective, they didn’t want to split up either.” Greiner and Homa had been together for over a decade, dating back to Homa’s earliest professional days.

In April 2025, Greiner initiated the split—a decision sources close to the pair say was made to preserve their friendship after a challenging stretch of form. Homa acknowledged the difficulty of the moment, calling Greiner “family” on social media. That emotional context wasn’t lost on Morikawa, who admitted this move felt “a little weird” given his deep friendship with Homa. “I’ve played a lot with Max. Max has been one of my best friends out on Tour,” he said. “So, going down this path was a little weird, in a way.”

Morikawa had previously expressed unwavering loyalty to Jakovac. “It never crossed my mind about switching caddies just because there’s another great caddie out there,” he explained. “To me, JJ was the best at the time—in what I thought was best for me.” But following a stretch of inconsistency, Morikawa and Jakovac quietly parted ways earlier this spring after six successful years together.

After splitting with Homa, Greiner then stepped in for Justin Thomas at the Masters and the RBC Heritage, where Thomas earned his first PGA Tour victory in nearly three years. The strong results with Thomas underscored Greiner’s pedigree, but Morikawa emphasized that he hadn’t considered making a change until his split with Jakovac was official. In the meantime, Greiner’s success with Homa—including a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Tour Championship and a Presidents Cup appearance—was well known.

Morikawa said that once Greiner became available, the possibility began to take shape naturally. “We’ve already talked numerous times on how we’re going to get started,” he said of his new caddie. “He’s a great caddie. He’s one of the best out there.”

While the decision was filled with professional calculation, Morikawa made it clear that the personal side mattered most. Calling Homa to explain the move was a priority, and it underscored the complex web of friendships and professional loyalty that define life on Tour.

Where is Morikawa headed next with new caddie Greiner?

Following his T54 finish at the 2025 RBC Heritage, Collin Morikawa is gearing up for a busy stretch of tournaments with Greiner. Morikawa is scheduled to compete in the Truist Championship at the Philadelphia Cricket Club from May 8 to May 11, 2025. This event is part of the PGA Tour’s Signature Series, drawing a select field of top players, excluding Scottie Scheffler. 

The Truist Championship promises a challenging test, with the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s layout known for its difficulty. Morikawa, recognized for his precision and consistency, will be looking to capitalize on the opportunity to sharpen his game and make a move up the standings.

Following the Truist Championship, Morikawa will turn his attention to the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, scheduled for May 15 to May 18. With a major title on the line, this tournament presents an ideal chance for Morikawa to make a statement, building momentum for the rest of the 2025 season. Fans and analysts will be closely watching his performances as he looks to regain top form under his new caddie’s guidance.