How a Special Handwritten Note Tempted Phil Mickelson and Blossomed Into an Iconic Player-Caddie Relationship With Bones

Phil Mickelson has been in the professional circuit for nearly three decades. The golfer has one of the most illustrious careers one could imagine. Along with Mickelson, his caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay, has also enjoyed most of the success of the 6-time Major winner. Today we look back at how a single note from Mackay brought Mickelson to the conclusion to make him his caddie.

Phil Mickelson has 45 professional wins including his 6 Major titles. During his 30 successful years of golfing, Phil only had two caddies. Tim Mickelson, who is his brother, is also his current caddie after Lefty decided to part ways with Mackay back in 2017.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t undermine the bond and success Mickelson and Mackay had during their years together. Bones earned nearly $5 million through his share of caddie out of Mickelson’s $75 million up until 2014. Today we throwback to 1992 when Phil was still in college when he met his future caddie, Jim Mackay.

When Phil Mickelson met Jim “Bones” Mackay

During his final year at Arizona State College, Mickelson’s coach Steve Loy was looking for recommendations for getting Mickelson a caddie when he turned pro in 1992. During the search process, Phil’s coach had laid his eyes on Jim Mackay, who was working as a caddie for someone else at the time.

“Mackay mentioned a few candidates, and described their strengths, but he had to cut short the conversation because his player showed up. Mackay wrote Loy a note apologizing for having to hurry off, and included his phone number in case Loy had any more questions”, as reported by Karen Course of the New York Times.

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Though most may consider throwing away the note. But Loy kept it secured. As reported, “Mickelson saw the note and appreciated Mackay’s gesture. He told Loy he had identified whom he wanted to carry his bag. When Mickelson made his first professional PGA Tour start, at the 1992 United States Open, Mackay was at his side”.

Following his debut year in 1992, Phil Mickelson had Mackay as his caddie for the next 25 years. The golfer enjoyed some of the best years of his professional life next to Bones. A single note developed into a professional relationship of 25 years is beyond expectations.

However in 2017, Mackay retired from the caddie life and Lefty decided to replace him with Tim Mickelson, Phil’s brother. Nonetheless, this time he didn’t have to wait for a note while searching for a caddie.

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