Justin Thomas Ends Winless Streak With New Caddie — But He Wasn’t the One Who Hired Joe Greiner
Justin Thomas secured his first PGA Tour win in nearly three years at the RBC Heritage Classic, marking a major breakthrough since his last victory at the 2022 PGA Championship. However, what drew extra attention was the fresh face on his bag — a new caddie. Interestingly, though, this wasn’t a long-term partnership. The caddie in question, Joe Greiner, had recently split with Thomas’ close friend Max Homa. Despite their history, it wasn’t Thomas who locked in Greiner for the season. So who did?
It turns out Collin Morikawa made the surprising decision to bring Joe Greiner on board, following his own split with longtime caddie J.J. Jakovac. Morikawa and Jakovac had worked together since 2019, a partnership that saw the young golfer rise to No. 2 in the world and capture six PGA Tour titles, including two majors. Jakovac brought significant experience to the role, having been a three-time All-American at Chico State and a two-time NCAA Division II national champion.
However, things took a downturn for Morikawa after the 2023 ZOZO Championship, prompting him to believe that a caddie change might inject new momentum into his game. While the switch brought a new voice to his side, the results have yet to dramatically change. In 10 events this year, Morikawa has logged 3 top-10 finishes, 7 top-25s, and two runner-up placements—but still no victories.
Morikawa’s swing and rhythm seem off, and he admits it’s both a mental and physical struggle. Speaking at the Memorial Tournament presser in Dublin, Ohio, he said, “I’ve been making a lot of bogeys… You can’t win golf tournaments like that.” His candid response highlighted that both his mindset and mechanics need attention.
The stats show how things have been difficult: he finished T54 at the RBC Heritage, missed the cut at the Zurich Classic with teammate Kurt Kitayama, and landed T50 at the PGA Championship. Across 2024 and 2025, he has placed second in four events and registered mid-pack finishes at places like Pebble Beach, the Genesis Invitational, and the Truist Championship.
On top of these on-course struggles, Morikawa has faced scrutiny from media personalities like Brandel Chamblee, Rocco Mediate, and Paul McGinley—especially after walking out post-loss at the Arnold Palmer Invitational without addressing the press. Though he later explained his actions during THE PLAYERS Championship, the public attention has only added pressure.
His new partnership with Greiner, however, seems to be warming up fast. In fact, Morikawa says Greiner has already called him “crazy” — and not in jest. Morikawa confessed to constantly tinkering with his equipment, even swapping driver shafts mid-round due to weather or feel. “I think golfers are generally crazy. I know I am,” Morikawa said, referencing how Greiner reacted to his impromptu gear decisions.
What exactly made Greiner label him that way? Morikawa explained that during a cooler, windier round, he decided on the spot to switch his driver shaft because his body didn’t feel right—only to crush it perfectly down the fairway. While some might see this as erratic, Morikawa believes it reflects his commitment to precision and control. “Everything’s important… from the specs we have to the grips you’re using to the grooves on the face. Like, everything matters,” he said.
While this level of attention to detail might seem obsessive, Morikawa sees it as necessary in a game filled with unpredictable elements. Whether this approach pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Greiner-Morikawa team is serious about making it work.
Only time will tell if this new partnership can help Morikawa regain his championship form. For now, the golf world will be watching closely as he attempts to return to the top.