Golf history is full of daring shot attempts. Think of Tiger Woods’s iconic chip at the 16th hole at Augusta in 2005, when he made the impossible shot that hung on the lip before dropping. Or Bubba Watson’s hook shot from the pine straw in 2012, curving the ball 40 yards around trees to win the Masters. Yet, few players have embraced risk quite like Phil Mickelson. The left-hander’s aggressive style earned him 45 PGA Tour wins and six major championships. One of the most iconic examples of Phil Mickelson’s fearless approach to golf occurred during the final round of the 2010 Masters at Augusta National.

Holding a slim lead, Mickelson found himself in a precarious position on the par-5 13th hole. Faced with a daunting shot from the pine straw, 187 yards out, over Rae’s Creek, and between two trees with just a four-foot gap, most would have laid up. But Mickelson, true to his aggressive nature, pulled a 6-iron and threaded the needle, landing the ball three feet from the pin. The daring shot led to a birdie and helped secure his third green jacket, solidifying his reputation as golf’s ultimate risk taker. However, even Phil’s boldest ideas sometimes needed a reality check.

Enter Jim “Bones” Mackay, the steady hand who carried Mickelson’s bag for 25 years. From Mickelson’s first major breakthrough to his unforgettable Masters victory in 2004, Bones was there every step of the way, offering insight, calm, and an unwavering presence. More than just a caddie, he became a cornerstone of Mickelson’s career and a voice of reason, earning his trust along the way. It was also built on a unique agreement that gave Bones rare decision-making power on the course. This power came in the form of one veto per year. And boy, did he need it.

Last month, in an appearance on the Glue Guys Podcast, Mackay revealed a hilarious interaction that perfectly captured their relationship. Once, playing at the English Turn outside New Orleans, Mickelson had driven into the right rough. He was stuck in trees with water between him and the green. What happened next was pure Mickelson. Mackay recalled, “he says, ‘I’m going to take a six-iron out, and I’m going to skip it across the lake a couple of times up onto the bank and onto the green.” Bones couldn’t believe what he was hearing. They weren’t even in contention. They were hanging around 20th or 30th place. The risk was enormous. Mackay pulled his veto card immediately.

“I’d never heard of anything like this. So you know, I couldn’t get my veto out of my back pocket fast enough. I say veto, he’s disgusted that I’m using it, I said, ‘but you know the rules of the veto. You can’t argue with me here. We’ve to do what I want to do. It’s my one chance all year to shine here.’ Let’s pitch this ball out sideways into the fairway and go about it from there. So, he did pitch the ball out sideways into the fairway and ended up getting the ball up and down from 100 yards for par,” McKay mentioned.

Walking down the very next hole, Bones was feeling pretty good about his decision. He was patting himself on the back. Mickelson noticed and asked what he was so happy about. “Man, that was great veto usage back there. Did you not notice that?” Bones proudly replied. Lefty’s response was classic.

“He said, ‘You’re an idiot. I’ma do something way dumber than that before the year’s over. You could have held on to that,'” McKay revealed. The exchange perfectly captured their dynamic: Mickelson’s unrelenting aggression met Bones’s calculated caution.

This playful yet honest exchange was just one snapshot of what made their partnership so special. Over the years, they had many such playful and lighter moments. Early in their collaboration, during a tournament in 1993, Mackay attempted to take a shortcut over a hill to reach the 17th tee, only to tumble down, arriving at the tee box with a bloody lip and missing clubs from the bag. “He’s in the last group on Sunday, and you have to walk through this tunnel underground to go to the 17th tee. Well, genius me, I decide that I’m going to go over it,” MacKay recalled in an interview with  “The Scoop” in 2023.

“I show up, I’ve got a bloody lip, covered in dirt,” Mackay said. “He’s like, ‘Did you get mugged? What the hell happened?’ So anyways, that was embarrassing.” Behind these moments was a legacy of collaboration that transformed the landscape of professional golf for nearly three decades.

Phil Mickelson and Jim “Bones” Mackay’s storied career together

The Mickelson-Mackay partnership spanned more than two decades of golf’s greatest moments. They teamed up in 1992 at a U.S. Open qualifier in Memphis. Together, they captured 42 PGA Tour victories. Five of these were major championships.

Their major breakthrough came at the 2004 Masters. This victory ended Mickelson’s long drought in the majors. They added another Green Jacket in 2006 and a third in 2010. The 2005 PGA Championship and 2013 Open Championship rounded out their major collection.

Their partnership wasn’t just successful. It was also remarkably enduring. They worked together for over 600 professional tournaments. This included 11 consecutive Ryder Cups from 1995 to 2016. Few player-caddie relationships in golf history have matched their longevity.

What made them so effective was their complementary styles. Phil Mickelson was ultra-aggressive, always looking for the spectacular shot. Bones provided the calm, measured voice of reason. Together, they formed one of golf’s most dynamic duos. Mackay wasn’t just along for the ride. He was a strategic partner who earned Phil’s complete trust. Throughout their time together, Bones earned a reputation as one of the game’s most knowledgeable caddies. His role in Mickelson’s Hall of Fame career cannot be overstated.

Their partnership eventually came to an amicable end in 2017. Both moved on to new chapters in their careers. But the memories they created together will forever be part of golf’s rich history. Do you remember any other memorable Phil-Bones moments? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!