Jim "Bones" Mackay will come out of retirement and caddie for Justin Thomas at the 2018 Sony Open in Hawaii.
Golf Channel first reported the news after the third round of the year-opener on Maui.
Thomas has been without regular caddie Jimmy Johnson at the 2018 Sentry Tournament of Champions as the looper sits out the first month of the year with plantar fasciitis in his feet. Thomas' dad, Mike Thomas, has caddies for him this week as he defends at Kapalua's Plantation Course. However, the results haven't been good, with Thomas mostly blaming the issues on rust.
Meanwhile, Mike Thomas told reporters Saturday that carrying the bag, particularly around hilly Kapaula, is not easy. It was reported by multiple outlets that the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year would seek out a professional caddie for his title defense at Waialae Country Club.
Just one problem with that plan: There aren't a whole lot of PGA Tour-caliber caddies floating around on the Hawaiian islands without a bag for the second half of the Aloha Swing. Enter Jim Mackay, caddie to Phil Mickelson for 25 years before going into the broadcasting world with the Golf Channel and NBC teams. Golf Channel broadcasts every week, and they're airing all four rounds of the Sony Open in Hawaii. Mackay's around and available, so why not ask him? Apparently that's what happened here.
Of course, don't expect Bones to suddenly become Thomas' permanent caddie. Jimmy Johnson has been great for Justin Thomas. However, for one week only, Bones is back with a bib on, and that's pretty awesome.
