Why Collin Morikawa's Caddie Switch Could Redefine His Career
The World No. 4 golfer has split with J.J. Jakovac, his only pro caddie to date, and joined forces with Joe Greiner.
Caddies aren’t just bag carriers, they’re part psychologist, part strategist, and part crisis manager. So when Collin Morikawa parts ways with J.J. Jakovac, the only caddie he’s had since turning pro, it’s not just a change in personnel. It’s a seismic shift for his career.
Jakovac has been there for Morikawa’s biggest moments. From his breakout PGA Championship win in 2020 to his triumph at the 2021 Open, their partnership was marked by calm under pressure, unflinching consistency, and the kind of mutual trust that’s hard to fake. That bond helped Morikawa rise quickly to the top of the game, making him one of the youngest stars with two majors under his belt.
So when a duo like that splits, people pay attention. And when the replacement is someone as respected and recently in-demand as Joe Greiner, the move begs deeper questions.
Greiner’s own journey has been a whirlwind. Long associated with Max Homa, his childhood friend, Greiner’s departure from that role caught many off guard, especially since it wasn’t by choice.
“I mean, it was not my choice, so it sucked,” Homa admitted during the Masters, referencing a difficult decision that nonetheless preserved their friendship. That quote tells you everything about how tight the player-caddie relationship runs: it’s business, but it’s deeply personal too.
Greiner’s services didn’t stay on the market for long. He filled in temporarily for Justin Thomas, who then won his first PGA Tour event in three years with Greiner on the bag at the RBC Heritage. That sparked inevitable rumours about a long-term deal, which Thomas shot down quickly. Still, the victory served as a live testimonial to Greiner’s skills, and clearly, Morikawa agrees.
On paper, Morikawa has remained a world-class performer. But in the ruthless arena of elite golf, near-misses don’t pay the same dividends as trophies. His last PGA Tour win came in the autumn of 2023. His last major title was at St Andrews in 2022. He’s been consistent, often in contention, but not closing.
This caddie change isn’t a panic move. It’s a signal: Morikawa isn’t chasing comfort. He’s chasing greatness.
By all accounts, his decision wasn’t rooted in fallout or friction. It was strategic. Jakovac did nothing wrong, but Greiner might be the one who can help Morikawa unlock that extra gear, whether it’s decision-making under pressure, emotional balance, or a more assertive course management style. These small margins are often the difference between top-five finishes and lifting the trophy.
Morikawa and Greiner already have deep ties through their shared connection to Max Homa. Both Morikawa and Homa played collegiate golf at Cal, have been close friends for years, and have shared practice rounds and even the same coach, Mark Blackburn, at various points.
That familiarity likely made this transition feel less like a gamble and more like a calculated upgrade. Greiner already understands Morikawa’s game. More importantly, he knows the personality behind it, when to talk, when to listen, and when to challenge. And chemistry matters.
Homa, now working with veteran caddie Bill Harke, is already showing signs of adapting well. Jakovac, meanwhile, leaves with an enviable resume and will surely land another top-tier bag soon.
With the PGA Championship coming up fast, this new partnership will be tested immediately. Expectations will be high, but Morikawa has never shied away from big stages. If anything, his decision suggests he’s doubling down on trying to win the ones that matter most.
Follow me for more sports and life updates: Instagram
New Collection From J Lindeberg
This week, J Lindeberg dropped a performance tech Pro Pack collection with weather-ready layers and utility gear. The vision was to create versatility on and off the course.
I am particularly excited about this because the brand hired one of my agency’s sports models for the shoot, Elisa Park. 👈 I would love it if you gave her a follow.
She’s a young golfer on her journey of development and is a very cool personality. We recently began working with her, and already, she’s doing very well booking jobs with some of the biggest brands in sportswear.
She’s going places!
Thanks for reading, David Skilling.
If you know someone who will enjoy this article, please share it with them.