Mickelson and Bones split

[mchepp]

I read a tweet (can't remember who) saying Bones is interested in pursuing a career in television. I would be interested in what he has to say so I think that would be a good transition for him.

[70sSanO]

2 hours ago, mchepp said:

I read a tweet (can't remember who) saying Bones is interested in pursuing a career in television. I would be interested in what he has to say so I think that would be a good transition for him.

I read that he did on course announcing for the 2015 RSM Classic.  Not sure of the response he got, but carrying a mic is a lot easier than a bag.  And he surely knows how to read a course.

John

[Valleygolfer]

6 hours ago, mchepp said:

I read a tweet (can't remember who) saying Bones is interested in pursuing a career in television. I would be interested in what he has to say so I think that would be a good transition for him.

He helped cover a tournament last year. I can't remember which one. I wouldn't be surprised if he is trying to get into that arena,  seeing how he has had knee replacement surgeries and his legs probably don't feel like they can handle another 10 years of lugging a bag.

Edited June 21, 2017 by Valleygolfer

[Wally Fairway]

Like everyone, I never saw this coming - especially with Bones being in Minnesota scouting the course, just in case there was a weather delay that would have allowed Phil to play.

That being said, I hope to see each of them win a US Open and get their grand slams; but I would think it is more likely that Bones could do this by finding the right young gun who needs someone on his bag.
Maybe an amateur looking to turn - Thornberry, Scheffler, Champ. Or a young pro who has already made some progress Gribble, Cantlay, Hossler.
(or just make some easy money on the Bernhard Langer Senior Tour money train)

[nevets88]

I didn't know about the veto thing till now:

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/06/phil-mickelson-jim-bones-mackay-caddie-golf-break-up-statements-why-veto-power-videos

What caddies stayed with their guy till the end? Fanny/Faldo?

[phan52]

I wonder whether Bones was really allowed one veto per year but, if its true, he missed some serious opportunities that probably could have helped Phil win a couple of US Opens. Winged Foot (hole #18) and Merion (hole #13) come immediately to mind.

[DaveP043]

34 minutes ago, phan52 said:

I wonder whether Bones was really allowed one veto per year but, if its true, he missed some serious opportunities that probably could have helped Phil win a couple of US Opens. Winged Foot (hole #18) and Merion (hole #13) come immediately to mind.

A bad result isn't necessarily the result of a bad decision. 

[skydog]

11 hours ago, mchepp said:

I read a tweet (can't remember who) saying Bones is interested in pursuing a career in television. I would be interested in what he has to say so I think that would be a good transition for him.

Interesting. I would be all for hearing what he has to say vs. many of the usual talking heads

Just now, DaveP043 said:

A bad result isn't necessarily the result of a bad decision. 

But in Phil's cases, they often are :/

[GolfLug]

Since we can only guess, I would agree with @mchepp and @Valleygolfer as being the most probably development.

A man (or woman) just needs or wants something new at some point in their life regardless of success.

Hope it works out well for both of them.

[MuniGrit]

Bones has plenty of young guys that play at Whisper Rock that he could choose from. I guarantee his phone is blowing up.

[Fourputt]

After having a knee replaced, and hearing the talk about television (golf commentator?), it may be that speculation about him carrying anyone's bag is a bit premature.

[boogielicious]

4 minutes ago, Fourputt said:

After having a knee replaced, and hearing the talk about television (golf commentator?), it may be that speculation about him carrying anyone's bag is a bit premature.

Agree. I haven't had a replacement, but have knee issues. Bags are heavy and courses hilly. I l like Bones and would love to hear his viewpoint during tournaments.

[tristanhilton85]

I don't think that Bones will be on somebody else's bag; at least not right away. Like others have mentioned, I think he'll try to do the TV thing for a little bit and see how that goes.

[JetFan1983]

5 hours ago, nevets88 said:

I didn't know about the veto thing till now:

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/06/phil-mickelson-jim-bones-mackay-caddie-golf-break-up-statements-why-veto-power-videos

What caddies stayed with their guy till the end? Fanny/Faldo?

Tom Watson-Bruce Edwards comes to mind, although, they "were on a break" for a couple years during their thirty year partnership.

I can't help but continuing to make lame Phil and Bones jokes. Bones' letter to Phil, probably :

At least I crack myself up.

[Groucho Valentine]

When is the lurid book coming? Thats what i want to know. 

[Vinsk]

Did I miss something here? If it was simply a matter of Bones having bad knees and feeling it's time to 'retire', that's what would've been said. Done. "Phil and Bones have mutually decided to split" is a kind way of saying Phil doesn't want Bones anymore or Bones doesn't want to loop for Phil anymore. 

'Hey Phil, my knees are killing me. It's been great but I think I need to pursue some other career that's not so taxing on my aging body.' Big deal. 

[No Mulligans]

7 hours ago, Fourputt said:

After having a knee replaced, and hearing the talk about television (golf commentator?), it may be that speculation about him carrying anyone's bag is a bit premature.

I thought he has had both knees replaced.  Regardless, I've been wondering for a while how at 51 years old with knee replacement surgery he is able to carry a heavy bag for maybe 6 rounds in one week.

[krupa]

Speculation is fun:  Maybe Bones had some huge bonus in his contract in the event that Phil got the career grand slam and Bones was super pissed that Phil skipped Erin Hills.

Maybe it is the knees and instead of Bones just saying, "I can't do it anymore", he mentioned to Phil how, after scoping out Erin Hills he was glad he didn't have to lug the bag around and Phil just said, "ya know, maybe it's time you called it a career?  You want to be able to play with your grandkids, don't you?"  "yeah," replied Bones, "I've been kind of thinking about that myself..."