Collin Morikawa reveals why he fired his caddie: "It wasn't an easy talk"

Collin Morikawa has reportedly decided to sack his long-time caddie and hire Joe Greiner.

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

PGA Tour star Collin Morikawa has opened up on the difficult decision he made to fire his long-time caddie. 

Former PGA Tour pro turned CBS analyst Colt Knost broke the news earlier in the week that Morikawa split with JJ Jakovac after six years.

Morikawa hired the looper when he turned professional and together they have lifted numerous PGA Tour titles including two majors. 

But Morikawa has told Dan Rapaport that even though he has been playing well this year the chemistry was off.

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

"Well, I mean first off it doesn't take away anything that JJ and I have done over the last six years," he said. 

"From the very beginning he has caddied for me every single tournament. He skipped one tournament for the birth of a second boy. 

"So I just want to first thank him because, like I said, you can't take away any of that. 

"Like what we accomplished [and our] relationship just doesn't go away because of what has just happened.

"Sometimes things aren't just feeling right."

Morikawa acknowledged some people will be surprised by the decision given his standard of play so far this season. 

"Everything looked good," he said. [But] sometimes, you know on the golf course things just don't feel right."

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

He added: "It wasn't an easy talk and I hope all the best. I hope guys are lining up for him because, if you look at his resume [and] look at what we've done just simply over the past six years it's incredible."

Morikawa moved quickly to replace Jakovac with Max Homa's former caddie Joe Greiner. 

Greiner walked away from a crestfallen, out-of-form Homa before the first men's major of the year.

Homa revealed the decision 'sucked' but stressed Greiner only did so to preserve their friendship. 

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

Of his new caddie, Morikawa said Greiner 'wants to learn and continue to get better.' 

"We've already talked numerous times on how we're going to just get started," he said.  

"He's a great caddie. He's one of the best out there.

"Obviously, what he did with JT. JT is an amazing player and he is very, very talented."

Morikawa was referring to the fact Greiner has spent the past few weeks filling in for Justin Thomas' caddie Matt 'Rev' Minister. 

Thomas finally ended his winless run on the PGA Tour at the RBC Heritage

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

He had not been in the winner's circle since the 2022 US PGA Championship at Southern Hills. 

"When you have a new caddie sometimes it frees people up," Morikawa said. 

"Sometimes it goes the other way and obviously it helped JT for those two events." 

Sponsored Posts

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get the latest golf news, equipment reviews and promotions direct to your inbox!