PGA Tour star Collin Morikawa explains decision to hire legendary caddie ahead of The Open

PGA Tour star Collin Morikawa says legendary caddie Billy Foster will be on his bag for at least two weeks. 

Morikawa was on the hunt for a new looper after he made the shock decision to part ways with Max Homa's former bag man Joe Greiner. 

He sacked Greiner before last week's Rocket Classic. Morikawa had brought him in to replace his long-time caddie JJ Jakovac. 

Jakovac was given the boot in April and the golfer has not given a specific reason yet as to why he wanted to make the change. 

He has stressed, though, that both Greiner and Jakovac are excellent at what they do and wished them well for the future. 

Morikawa has now turned to Foster, who parted ways with Matthew Fitzpatrick after The Players Championship, concluding their six-year association.

Over the years, Foster has carried the sticks for the late, great Seve Ballesteros, Darren Clarke, Tiger Woods, Thomas Bjorn, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood. 

Morikawa told reporters before the Scottish Open it's going to be a 'two-week thing, for now'. 

The 28-year-old will have Foster by his side at next week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush. 

"It's going to be a two-week thing as of now, just to fill in," Morikawa told reporters. 

"I was trying to think about who would be available and then a couple of people brought his name up and what a legend he is. I mean, the stories he's had, the people he's caddied for. 

"Yesterday out playing, he told me some good Seve stories and I'm very lucky to have someone like that to be able to hop on the bag for a couple of weeks and just enjoy it."

So what is the game plan?

"One, go and have fun. And two, just be simple, execute the shots. At the end of the day, that’s what golf is. So, hopefully, we can enjoy these two weeks as much as we can. 

"It's good to see him out here, I know he’s enjoying it, kind of shooting the talk with everyone."

"If that comes off as harsh, so be it"

Morikawa has endured a prickly relationship with the golf media in 2025. 

He was criticised by former European Ryder Cup captain and former PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee after he decided not to speak to the press following his near-miss at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

PGA Tour Champions member Rocco Mediate said the late Palmer would be angry with his decision. 

Morikawa then doubled down on his position and, last week, was involved in a tense exchange with a reporter over a quote that featured in article over his decision to sack Greiner. 

The golfer thought the quote was intended to make him look bad.  

Elsewhere, Morikawa has not been afraid to speak his mind. 

"I think a lot of us, we live in such a public profile that sometimes you have to think about what you're going to say," Morikawa said.  

"But, at the end of the day, you have to be honest and you have to be yourself. And if that comes off harsh, so be it. 

"But look, I am who I am. You just want to be yourself and, for the most part, you got to stay true to that.

"It's hard to do when we live such a public life, but I hope people just are honest with everyone because that's all you can do is just be honest with yourself, be honest with the people around you and take it for what it is."