2 days Ago By Archie Griggs
Collin Morikawa has risked upsetting one of his Ryder Cup team-mates by snapping up the caddie who helped him to win his first title in three years. The two-time major champion has parted ways with JJ Jakovac, bringing an end to their successful six-year partnership. The pair have worked together since Morikawa turned professional in 2019 but have now split in a surprising turn of events.
The move, which was reported by Colt Knost on SiriusXM , will see Joe Greiner link up with Morikawa as his new full-time caddie. He recently split from Max Homa, his childhood friend, after many years working alongside each other. Greiner went on to caddie for Justin Thomas at the Masters before helping him to win the RBC Heritage, his first title since 2022.
He has elected to join Morikawa on a full-time basis, though, meaning Thomas will be unable to work with him any longer. It remains to be seen if this will cause friction with Morikawa ahead of the pair teaming up at this year's Ryder Cup. Matt Minister will return to caddie for Thomas, having missed the Masters due to a troublesome back injury.
The partnership with Greiner was expected to be a temporary solution until Minister was fit enough to return to the bag. Morikawa will be hoping that Greiner's arrival inspires a return to winning ways, having failed to land a PGA Tour title in nearly two years. He was unable to add to his trophy cabinet in 2024 but has achieved two runner-up placings in recent months.
The first of those came in the opening event of the season when he was beaten by Hideki Matsuyama at The Sentry. Morikawa was also unlucky not to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with Russell Henley claiming the spoils thanks to a late chip-in eagle. Morikawa had been working with Jakovac since the summer of 2019 and was alongside him for all six of his PGA Tour victories.
Their sudden split has raised questions about what led to the decision and how Morikawa will fare with Greiner on the bag. Their first tournament together will be the Truist Championship, which takes place in North Carolina next week. Morikawa will be hoping to get their partnership off to a flying start by ending his winless streak ahead of the PGA Championship.
Greiner will bring a fresh perspective to Morikawa's camp, having been with Homa for much of his professional career. They first teamed up in 2013, with Greiner stepping back to work with Kevin Chappell before rejoining Homa in 2019..
