Is There a Bad Blood Between Phil Mickelson & Caddie Tim? Exploring Lefty’s Looper’s Abrupt Retirement Decision

Mar 26, 2024 | 12:43 PM EDT

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Blood is thicker than water, or so they say. After 8 years of spending time on Phil Mickelson’s bag, his brother Tim Mickelson is now taking formal retirement from being his caddie. Shockingly, just weeks before the much-awaited Augusta National showdown.

This sudden and unexpected farewell has led to the rise of many suspicions in the golf world regarding the relationship status between the brothers. But the fractured relationship between the two is not the reason why Tim has decided to retire from being his brother’s caddie. Mickelson brothers have nothing but mutual love, respect, and affection towards each other.

Lefty’s caddie has recently had his second son with his wife, Maranda Mickelson. With the new addition to the family, time required to focus and nurture the kids has also increased. The LIV Golfer understands this as a brother, and as his employer. Reflecting on the good moments the two has had over the years, Mickelson wrote a heartwarming goodbye for Tim.

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

Tim is surely retiring from caddying, but is his warm bid adieu message, Mickelson wrote that he will always “cherish the many great moments we’ve shared on the course.” He also shared that he is looking forward “to many more special moments off the course, too.”

I’ve had some great accomplishments in my career and getting to share them with my brother Tim has been beyond special. 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… pic.twitter.com/BvGORzyelm
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) March 26, 2024

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The heartwarming message was a much-needed ode to the time the brothers spent working on their passion together. Tim took Jim Bones Mackay’s spot on Lefty’s bag after they split in 2017. The 53-year-old won three times on the PGA Tour while working with his brother namely 2018 WGC-Mexico Championship and 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and 2021 PGA Championship.

Even a drastic shift to LIV Golf was not enough to break the bind between brothers. Despite the fact that a move to LIV Golf hasn’t translated into a win so far for the 6-time major winner, he has bagged three top-10s in 24 starts, rather unimpressive odds considering his prowess.

It has not yet been revealed who will replace Tim and caddy for Mickelson in the days to come. His next appearance is scheduled for next week at LIV Golf Miami, which is set to be next week at Doral. Mickelson is also expected to tee it up at the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National in the coming few weeks, where his long-time competitor, Tiger Woods, is also scheduled to appear.

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With Tim Mickelson retiring from a professional career of being a caddie, what will he do next after prioritizing his family? Will he ever caddy again? or choose a career option from the past?

What might Phil Mickelson’s brother do after some time if he ever wishes to make his way back into the world of golf?

Considering Tim Mickelson’s long years of experience in golf, and close relationship with his former employer, Phil Mickelson, a return to the caddy world is not off the charts for him, if he so wishes. It is equally possible for the Tim to restart his career, and go back to doing what has previously done, other than being a caddy.

Before stepping into the shoes of a bagman, Tim was a college golf coach at the University of San Diego and Arizona State University. In fact, he has even coached Jon Rahm, who is a force to be reckoned with on the greens even after his move to LIV Golf. Further, Tim Mickelson has also tried his luck at being the Spaniard’s agent for a year prior to becoming a caddie. Thus, it is possible that he might slip back into his comfort zone in the days to come, if he ever wishes to.

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As for Phil Mickelson’s luck at the upcoming Augusta National event, whether a seventh major win is on the cards for this LIV golfer barely managing to shine in the breakaway league or not remains a matter only time can decode.