PGA Tour stars make notable caddie changes at Wyndham Championship
Hideki Matsuyama, Billy Horschel and others have new faces on the bag as the FedEx Cup Playoffs race reaches its final regular-season stop.
The final stop of the PGA Tour's regular season has arrived, and with so much on the line at the Wyndham Championship, several players have opted for a different look on the bag this week at Sedgefield Country Club.
From major champions to players battling for a place in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, a number of notable caddie changes have emerged as the action gets underway in North Carolina.
Hideki Matsuyama will once again be without long-time caddie Shota Hayafuji, with Taigi Tabuchi filling in for a second consecutive tournament.
Tabuchi is no stranger to the role. He was on Matsuyama's bag when the Japanese star claimed victory at the 2023 FedEx St. Jude Championship after Hayafuji was unable to travel because his passport had been stolen at the airport.
Hayafuji also stepped away earlier this season following the birth of his child, but Golfweek reports that a back injury is the reason he remains sidelined this week. Hayafuji is best remembered for his emotional bow to Augusta National's 18th green after Matsuyama's historic Masters victory in 2021.
Matsuyama is one of GolfMagic's expert picks for victory at the Wyndham Championship off the back of four straight top-14 finishes on the PGA Tour.
Elsewhere, Billy Horschel has reunited with experienced caddie Gareth Lord as he looks to keep his FedEx Cup Playoffs hopes alive.
Horschel has rotated through several caddies since parting ways with Micah Fugitt, with his brother-in-law Brad Nelson also carrying his bag in recent times.
Lord brings a wealth of experience, having worked alongside Henrik Stenson during his memorable Open Championship victory in 2016, while also filling in for Justin Rose during his win at the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open.
Horschel arrives at Sedgefield ranked No. 107 in the FedEx Cup standings, knowing he needs a strong finish to extend his season.
Among other notable caddie changes this week, Tom Hoge, who starts the week 79th in the standings, has enlisted 58-year-old former PGA Tour professional Tom Gillis to carry the bag.
Gillis enjoyed a lengthy playing career, winning on the Korn Ferry Tour and famously losing in a playoff to Jordan Spieth at the 2015 John Deere Classic.
Matt Kuchar has also turned to a familiar face, with son Cameron Kuchar caddying for him for what is expected to be one of their final appearances together.
Kuchar recently described the opportunity as their "last hurrah" before Cameron heads to Texas Christian University (TCU) to begin college.
The veteran enters the Wyndham Championship down in 142nd place in the FedEx Cup standings and realistically needs nothing less than victory to book an unlikely place in the Playoffs.
With the FedEx Cup Playoffs looming, every decision matters this week, and for several players, that includes making a change on the bag in the hope of finding the spark they need at Sedgefield.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
