For the second time this season, elite American golfer Collin Morikawa has made a sudden change on the bag. After just five tournaments together, Morikawa and veteran caddie Joe Greiner have parted ways ahead of this week’s Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
This follows Morikawa’s unexpected split in April from J.J. Jakovac, his longtime caddie since turning professional and a key figure in his major wins.
Short Tenure, Long Questions
Morikawa’s tenure with Greiner began in April, shortly after Greiner ended his own six-year run with Max Homa–and even caddied for Justin Thomas during his RBC Heritage victory. But success didn’t follow Morikawa across five starts. His best finish was a tie for 17th (Truist Championship), followed by a T‑50 at the PGA Championship, T‑23 at the U.S. Open, and a T‑42 at the Travelers.
Morikawa emphasized to reporters that, despite Greiner’s credentials, their working styles simply didn’t align: “I think Joe is an amazing caddie, but I think just the way we kind of saw things or just day-to-day how we kind of went about it, we were just a little bit on a different page.”
School Ties Revisited
For the Rocket Classic, Morikawa has enlisted K.K. Limbhasut, his former University of California teammate, as a fill-in caddie. Limbhasut–29 years old and currently competing on the Korn Ferry Tour—will carry Morikawa’s bag this week, providing familiarity and stability amid another transitional phase.
“I appreciate him doing that and we’re going to go out and have a blast,” Morikawa said.
Morikawa explained that the replacement is temporary, stating he’s “exploring options” and doesn’t yet have a long-term choice for events like The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The college connection is strategic: Limbhasut knows Morikawa’s game and temperament, offering a trusted stopgap with potential benefits beyond just the week in Detroit.
The caddie position is among the most intimate working relationships in golf–often likened to a marriage in closeness and rhythm. Morikawa acknowledged this, saying, “…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.”
His abrupt shifts suggest a broader search for a partnership that not only boosts performance but also fits his personality and game-reading instincts.
Repeated changes in quick succession highlight possible underlying adjustments Morikawa is making in his swing, confidence, or strategy. Indeed, he’s also testing out a new putter, signaling a period of self-reflection and experimentation.
Media Tensions Surface
Amid the caddie upheaval, Morikawa found himself in a tense exchange with Golfweek’s Adam Schupak during a pre-tournament press briefing. He bristled at an earlier article suggesting he delayed media availability for pro-am partners, saying, “don’t put me down like that,” and defending his priorities. The interaction shed light on his mindset and how seriously he views framing and communication during transitional periods.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Morikawa, ranked world No. 5, hasn’t won on Tour since the Zozo Championship in October 2023. His six PGA Tour wins–including two majors–came under the steady guidance of Jakovac. With each caddie change, Morikawa is essentially resetting a key ingredient in his competitive recipe.
This week in Detroit represents more than just a tournament. It’s a test of adaptability. Limbhasut brings familiarity, but not Tour-level experience. Morikawa’s decision-makers–his Swing Coach, mental team, and advisors–will closely watch how well this makeshift pairing holds up under pressure.
Betting Markets Still Back Morikawa
Despite the recent caddie changes and modest finishes, Morikawa arrives at the Rocket Classic as the betting favorite, opening at 12/1 odds to win. The markets still trust his ball-striking and overall pedigree, especially on a layout like Detroit Golf Club that rewards precision and scoring. Keegan Bradley, coming off a victory at the Travelers, trails slightly behind at 16/1, with Hideki Matsuyama next at 30/1.
Fantasy players are also banking on Morikawa to deliver. He headlines most DFS pricing boards, slotting in around $10.9K, reinforcing the high expectations–even amid an ongoing transitional period.
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