The Phil Mickelson–Jim Bones split: how much ‘Lefty’ reportedly owed his caddie in 2017

The dynamics between players and caddies can be unique, and while the standard 10% cut of winnings is often mentioned, arrangements vary from one team to another.

Still, it is rare to hear stories of a player not following through on what is owed.

However, that is precisely what transpired between Mickelson and Jim ‘Bones’ MacKay, according to Alan Shipnuck’s book, Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorised!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colourful Superstar.

Following their split in 2017 – which was said to be on good terms – it was reported that Bones was still owed around $900,000 by Mickelson.

An excerpt from the book featured a source who did not hold back, saying: “That’s a giant f—y– to a caddie.

“When Phil wins the Masters, he gets the green jacket, the trophy, the big check, all the glory. He had to take the flags, too? Every other caddie who has ever won the Masters got to keep the eighteenth-hole flag. For Phil not to follow tradition was hugely disrespectful.”

‘Lefty’ is believed to have paid $400,000 of that amount before their split. But there has not been much said about what happened with the remaining half-million dollars.

How much Phil Mickelson has made over his career

Mickelson took home more than $96m in PGA Tour prize money alone, a figure that would set up just about anyone for life.

And that is far from the whole story.

He has also pulled in around $12m from European Tour events, and reportedly received a $200m signing fee to join LIV Golf.

So, considering how much Mickelson has made during his career, if he did owe money to his caddy, there is really no excuse for it.