Phil & Bones Part Ways After 25 Years

It'll go down with the legendary player-caddie partnerships of Ouimet/Lowery, Nicklaus/Angelo, Watson/Edwards, Trevino/Mitchell, which makes the news all the more shocking.

The Jim Mackay statement breaking the news:

Statement from Bones and Phil. They are parting ways after 25 years. pic.twitter.com/FVI3vSvIA9

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) June 20, 2017

Phil Statement:

Statement from Phil regarding Bones breakup. #damn pic.twitter.com/9pJfJvXQfN

— Jay Coffin (@JayCoffinGC) June 20, 2017

 

Update on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 08:27 PM by Geoff

**John Feinstein and I discussed on Golf Central...

Comments

[OWGR Fan]

Shocking. Great tandem. Some lucky player will be getting an awesome caddie if Bones continues.

[Brandon]

Was probably pissed that he had to go walk Erin Hills for nothing as he knew there was no weather delay coming.

[Dodd Gerhardt]

What the hell are they talking about with the "vetoes?"

[Jason Thomas]

Wondering who Bones will loop for now?

[Chicago John]

Conspiracy theory: Bones got pist that Phil bailed on Erin Hills as it's the one thing left this duo hasn't done: Win a US Open. I am not a Phil fan by any means, but it will be very odd to not hear the 25 minute conversations between Bones and Phil before they finally pull a club on a par 3.

[Jeremy]

I'm guessing someone like Rahm offered him the bag.

[jjshaka]

Paging Joe LaCava

[Play It Forward]

Geoff - like some of your duos. Don't forget Player/Rabbit. Others?

[The O]

Rahm is Tim's client. More like Tim asked Phil to let Bones go to Rahm. Maybe Phil gets a cut of Time's cut now....

[Tighthead]

The Tim Micklson connection to Rahm is interesting, especially after he had some eruptions last week.

I don't think Bones would have a problem with the Erin Hills thing, but sometimes marriages unravel over forgetting a carton of milk.

[KLG]

DG: Bones could veto one of Phil's choices of club/shot per year.

[The O]

@KLG & DG, Yeah, there's great stories about the veto, one being that at the British, Phil wanted to hit a mid-iron out of a bunker and Bones wanted him to pitch out and used a veto. Phil then declared he would "override" the veto and hit the mid-iron. Shot failed, situation got worse, and he made like a triple. Said he would never override the veto again.

[Kernel]

Just another luggage handler looking for work

[Paul]

Sad to see this end. Was one one of the few superstar tandems on Tour and now it feels like a complete changing of the guard on Tour. As a former caddy in my youth I envied Bones but would've never been able to handle the time away from the fam with that job.

This ending is too scripted with the timing and PR. Curious to when the real reason comes out.

My bet is Bones put up with a lot of Phil's crap, bit the bullet because it was such a great seat and payday and it just unraveled and he knows Phil is near the end of his career anyhow.

Bones gave an awkward interview on Fox last week when asked about Phil's decision...

Too bad they're not going out together. Thanks for the memories guys.

[munihack]

It appears that Phil and Bones have ended what many consider one of the great all time duos. Congrats to them both for all the entertaining and informative back and forth that gave us all a little peak behind the curtain of competing at the highest level for so long. While they may have success with other partners they likely will always be tied to each other. What a great run. Well done to both.

[Center Cut]

Great looper who stuck by his player - who can remember the infamous wait on 18 at Valhalla.

I'm thinking there's something more to this - Bones' knee replacements may not be fully healed, and Mickelsoen may well be looking to ease back on his schedule.

That said, Bones must be fairly comfortably well-off, so he should really get the pick of the bags out there.

McIlroy could do worse...

[Bogey]

I've heard Bone's knees weren't in the best shape, but I'm guessing there is more to this than that.

[The Ghost of Perry Maxwell]

Bones, if you're reading this, will you consider a one day loop at mid-am qualifier ?

[BrianS]

I'm bummed by this, it was fun watching them together. If Bones can land a super high paying gig for the next 5 years to top off his bank accounts, plus mentor a young stud on the rise, good for him.

[Bill Wilson]

Phil's brother probably needs the money.

[NRH]

You could see this coming Friday at the Players with their interaction at the drop zone on 17 after Phil dunked one long with wedge after Bones wanted him to hit the nine.

[Smitty]

Was the veto in place at Winged Foot? Maybe Bones should have gotten extra ones for the majors . . .

[DrBunsenHoneydew]

The split will hurt Phil more than Bones. Hopefully Bones will be hired by one of the currently wayward "big 3" and help get them back on track.

[David Simmz]

Faldo / Fanny? Maybe not a blockbuster but they won a pack of majors together

[Willie]

For both men, they're at a great age to make such a big change.
Anyone who ever had an amazing second wife will agree.

[AK47]

No caddie was ever better than Player's who "found" his ball to win a major

Bones is a servant and Phil the benevolent (sometimes not so) dictator. Maybe Bones just got tired of being less than human now he's got millions of dollars?

Jon Rahm

[Dick Mahoon]

A few more for the list?

Woods and Williams.
Ernie and Ricci.
Furyk and Fluff.
Allenby and ....wait....

DM

[ChuckDietzenTNnotIN]

If Bones chooses to continue caddying, I think the adjustment will be easier for him than Phil. In view of what has been written about Mackay's knees it would not surprise me to see him take a break.
Successfully maintaining a double relationship of employer/employee and friend/friend is tricky. If they can now remain friends they have my admiration.

[steve elling]

With those new metallic knees, I bet Jim ends up on Golf Channel somehow.

[Easingwold]

No guarantee Bones would suit another player, he and Phil had their way over a shot. Might not suit anyone else.

[Couples]

Going to miss those riveting Bones and Phil 10 minute conversations
227
Ya
7 iron
Ya
Feel that breeze ( Phil farted )
Ya

Repeat 3x in case 1st two were missed by TV cameras

Now we get Spieth and his attention whore caddy and their idiot jargon

[digsouth]

Dadgum, I know i posted on this...? This morning. Really.

My take is knees are the issue, and a microphone is in Bones future. It makes sense. A 50 pound bag and a 6 mile hike 5-6 times a week is not for the rebuilt knees and can shoulders be far behind.

phil m. wassup? come on...

dig