Collin Morikawa has parted ways with his longtime caddie JJ Jakovac ahead of next week’s CJ CUP Byron Nelson. The 28-year-old will have a new man on the bag when he features at the Byron Nelson from May 1–4 at TPC Craig Ranch.
Joe Greiner Replaces JJ Jakovac as Morikawa Sets Sights on New Chapter
There have been several reports indicating that Joe Greiner will be Morikawa’s new caddie. This comes after Morikawa announced a split with JJ Jakovac on Tuesday. The pair had one of the most successful player-caddie relationships on the PGA Tour ever since Morikawa turned professional in 2019. Jakovac was on the 28-year-old’s bag for all six of his wins, including his two majors.
Morikawa’s success is likely to attract plenty of interest in Jakovac, and teams are not expected to leave him without work for long. However, Morikawa begins a new chapter as he looks to end a title drought now entering its fourth year. Morikawa has not won a title since his victory at The Open Championship in 2021, but he did finish T3 at the 2024 Masters Tournament. He will be hopeful of ending his drought soon, especially as he has been in impressive form recently.
Morikawa will also be hoping that having a new man on the bag will boost his quest to end his long wait, as he prepares for life without his longtime caddie. He will compete at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson next week. The CJ CUP is the final event for players to qualify for the Truist Championship, the next Signature Event on the calendar, via the Aon Swing 5 and Aon Next 10
Greiner to Help Morikawa Break Winless Drought?
Greiner parted ways with Max Homa just before the Masters after several years as his caddie. He served as Justin Thomas’s caddie at Augusta National and the RBC Heritage a couple of weeks ago, where Thomas eventually ended his three-year title drought. Reports initially suggested Greiner could end up as Thomas’s long-term caddie, but he was quick to quash such speculation, insisting it was only a stopgap solution due to the back injury of Thomas’s regular looper, Matt “Rev” Minister.
Morikawa is now set to have Greiner on the bag, and Greiner hopes to help the 28-year-old end his winless drought. Greiner and Morikawa have known each other for a while. The pair grew up together in California and became close friends on the PGA TOUR.
Morikawa will hope that he can turn his friendship with Greiner into a long-lasting, successful working relationship as they prepare for their first tournament together at next week’s Byron Nelson.
Main Photo Credit: © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
