Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay returning to NBC golf coverage

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, the longtime caddie for Phil Mickelson and more recently, Justin Thomas, will be returning to NBC’s golf coverage full-time.

Adam Schupak of Golfweek reported the news.

“Sam Flood, the executive producer of NBC Sports and president of production, confirmed on a conference call with media that Bones is back full time as part of a multi-year deal,” the report said.

Mackay was Mickelson’s caddie for most of his career until the pair split in 2017. Mackay joined NBC’s golf coverage shortly thereafter and remained there until 2021, when he began to caddie for Thomas full-time. While Thomas did win the 2022 PGA Championship with Mackay, the pairing otherwise had limited success and split shortly before the 2024 Masters.

The return to NBC is one that both Mackay and the network are looking forward to.

“He will be part of NBC Sports for years to come as we’re going to partner for a long time with him,” Flood said.

Mackay shared that sentiment.

“It’s great for me and I couldn’t be happier about the situation,” Mackay said. “In terms of where I am in my life this is the perfect scenario for me and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Mackay’s first venture back into broadcasting will be at the 2024 U.S. Open, which is scheduled to run from June 13-16. It was announced that Mackay would be part of the coverage at North Carolina’s Pinehurst No. 2.

His schedule for after the U.S. Open is not yet clear.

“I’m going to do several (tournaments) this year,” Mackay said, per Schupak. “It’s a bit TBD and will have a more well-established schedule the next few years.”

Following the U.S. Open, NBC’s remaining golf coverage this season includes The Open Championship in July as well as the FedEx Cup Playoffs consisting of August’s FedEx St. Jude Championship and BMW Championship and culminating with the Tour Championship, which will wrap up on Sept. 1. Other big golf events include the Summer Olympics in Paris in August and the President’s Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club in late September.

[Golfweek]