Collin Morikawa has been one of golf’s rapid success stories. The PGA Tour pro has been competing with tremendous determination, and his hard work is reaping success. Many people have become familiar with Morikawa, but there’s hardly any attention given to the man who carries his bag at tournaments.

Of course, caddies don’t receive fame or recognition like golfers. While caddies are known to carry the bags of the players, it should be noted that they are vital in providing information about a particular golf course. Additionally, caddies are also a huge emotional support to the players during the game and often help them make important decisions.

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Who is the caddie for Collin Morikawa? 

Collin Morikawa has earned massive acclaim on the tour in a short time. While he deserves all the credit, Morikawa’s caddie, J.J. Jakovac, should be given a share of the praise as well. For hardcore golf fans, J.J. Jakovac shouldn’t be an unfamiliar name since he’s caddied for other golfers before. Jakovac first took up the caddying job on the PGA Tour with Ryan Moore. After working seven years with Moore, Jakovac shifted and worked with players like Matt Bettencourt, Zack Miller, John Merrick, and Pete Tomasulo.

J.J. Jakovac finally joined hands with Collin Morikawa in 2019 after gaining plenty of caddying experience on the tour. In fact, it was Jakovac who became impressed with Morikawa’s game and wanted to work with him. Jakovac urged one of his agent friends to connect with Morikawa’s team about teaming up with the golfer.

The duo initially met during the US Open sectional qualifier for the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach. Their pairing reached new levels after Collin Morikawa qualified for the 2019 U.S. Open. Jakovac has been carrying the California native’s bag ever since. J.J. Jakovac is also Morikawa’s caddie for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Collin Morikawa has won five PGA Tour titles with J.J. Jakovac as his caddie. Their first triumph came at the 2019 Barracuda Championship, followed by the 2020 Workday Charity Open, the 2020 PGA Championship, and recently, the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship title at the Concession and the 2021 Open Championship. Morikawa also added another star to his own as well as Jakovac’s record at the 2021 DP World Tour Championship.

Read More: Who Are Collin Morikawa’s Parents? Everything About the PGA Tour Pro’s Most Valued Supporters

J.J. Jakovac himself earned massive acclaim as a golfer

One shouldn’t assume J.J. Jakovac is just another caddie. In fact, Jakovac played for the Chico State Wildcats for four years when he was at California State University (2000–2004). He gained tremendous attention during his CSU days for winning consecutive NCAA DII individual championships. Jakovac loves to be a caddie because he’s a very competitive person. He could not gain status on the PGA Tour after turning pro but loves watching players battle it out during intense moments in a tournament. Interestingly, Jakovac is one of the best-paid caddies in the golf world.

Jakovac really admires Collin Morikawa as a player. Jakovac said in 2020, “The best thing about him is his head. I know the courses, but he thinks like a caddie out there, which is cool. He doesn’t play too conservative; he plays smart. He’s very methodical about the way he plots it around.”

Though Morikawa only turned pro in 2019, Jakovac already considers him to be a veteran golfer. Adding to his list of favorites is a memory of Morikawa’s 2021 Open victory. As it was Jakovac’s 39th birthday, Morikawa made his special day even more special by making the crowd sing Happy Birthday for his long-time caddie. Moreover, Jakovac’s favorite course to caddie is the Augusta National, but the Winged Foot Golf Club is his favorite place to play.

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