MICKELSON SPLITS WITH CADDIE

PHIL MICKELSON (caricature), a five-time major winner and three-time Masters champion, announced yesterday he has split with caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay after working together for 25 years and 41 professional triumphs. The 47-year-old lefthander and the bagman he met at 1992 US Open sectional qualifying in Memphis parted ways as friends, each releasing a statement saying as much. “After 25 very rewarding and memorable years, Bones and I have mutually decided to end our player-caddie relationship,” Mickelson said. “Our decision is not based on a single incident. We just feel it’s the right time for a change.” Mickelson has not won a title since the 2013 British Open, his fifth major crown after the 2005 PGA Championship and the 2004, 2006 and 2010 Masters. Denying him a career Grand Slam is a US Open triumph and Mickelson withdrew from last week’s edition of the event to attend his daughter’s graduation. Mickelson has finished as a US Open runnerup a record six times, including 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2013. Mickelson’s younger brother Tim, who filled in for a day when Mackay was sick at a World Golf Championships event in Mexico earlier this year, will take over as the caddie for “Lefty” for the remainder of the season starting with his next event, the PGA Greenbrier Classic on July 6-9. “After an amazing 25year run, Phil and I have mutually decided to go our separate ways,” said Mackay, who this year has been recovering from a double knee replacement. I will always be grateful that I was around to witness so much of Phil’s career.” Mickelson’s success made Mackay’s dream come true. “When Phil hired me in 1992, I had one dream: to caddie in a Ryder Cup. Last year, at Hazeltine, Phil played in his 11th straight Ryder Cup. It was so cool to have a frontrow seat,” Mackay said. “I wish Phil nothing but the best. His game is still at an elite level, and when he wins in the future (definitely the Masters), I will be among the first to congratulate him.” also launch a comprehensive education program to ensure that all players understand changes to the testing procedures, the banned substance list and the adjudication process before next season. Blood tests will be added to protocol but urine tests will remain the predominant method to obtain samples. Some banned substances are best detected by blood tests, including Human Growth Hormone, which had been banned even though no blood test program was in place.