In recent news within the PGA Tour, those following have seen many new and familiar faces as well. Interestingly enough, those faces are not coming in as new Tour golfers but caddies. This season in particular has been one for change, one seen with the top golfers saying their goodbyes to long time personal caddies. Before the first round of the Rocket Classic kicked off Thursday, Collin Morikawa found himself in that same spotlight. Ending his run at success with Joe Greiner and having his former college teammate, KK Limbhaust on the bag. With a spur of the moment change but chemistry still intact, Morikawa will look to kick off round one strong.
This has been the downside of many caddies this Tour season, having to find new ways to stay booked and busy. In particular for Joe Greiner who has had his fair share of changes on the bags by far. Having had a similar abrupt ending during his run with Max Homa, Morikawa found himself pulling the plug as well.
“I think Joe is an amazing caddie… we were just a little bit on a different page,” Morikawa said. “That doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong, but for me it just didn’t feel right. I have to explore other options.”
That need to feel right this season for Morikawa is true, understanding he has yet to grab a win but clawing closer every tournament. This season with 13 events played he has only missed one cut, with three top ten finishes and two runner-up’s. Now with the rekindling of a college friendship, Morikawa will be looking for weight lifted off his shoulders and success in sight.
From the outside looking in to this newly formed caddie situation, it looks and feels refreshing. Although what’s most important and truly key, is the now expected play from the veteran in Morikawa. Now with his second caddie this season after a switch from J.J. Jakovac, this is time for things to come together or fall apart for the worst.
“I have to explore other options, I knew that coming in. It was going to be a great start and it was going to be a fun thing for me to test out that I knew I put myself in,” Morikawa said. “At the end of the day you don’t know how you’re going to be, because we spend more time with them than anyone else in the world honestly. I spend more time with them than my wife sometimes. It’s a true relationship.”
The troubles for Morikawa will pick up after this Rocket Classic, when a more permanent Caddie will be needed before a British Open appearance. A clear advantage in the court of the 28-year-old, is being ranked the highest out of all competition in this upcoming tournament. With that confidence and a familiar face on his bag,
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