They say behind every great golfer, there’s a great caddie. And it’s true—the person carrying the bag does a lot more than just handing over clubs. They’re part strategist, part psychologist, and sometimes, the unsung hero of a big win. For Hyo Joo Kim, that key figure in 2025 is Jason Gilroyed, a caddie with decades of experience and a history of working with some of the best golfers in the world.

Kim hasn’t always had the same person by her side. In the past, she’s worked with caddies like Gordon Rowan, who was there for her huge 2014 Evian Championship win, and Dean Herden, who helped her secure the 2015 Founders Cup. But this year, she’s found a new rhythm with Gilroyed—and their partnership has already paid off with a big win at the Ford Championship.

So who is Jason Gilroyed?

If you’ve followed women’s golf for a while, you might recognize the name. Jason Gilroyed has been a caddie for a long time—since 1996, to be exact. He got his start at the Edmonton Country Club in Canada and has since worked with some major names in the LPGA, including Rosie Jones, Cristie Kerr, Jessica Korda, Anna Nordqvist, Alison Lee, and Minjee Lee.

His most notable partnership before Kim? Minjee Lee. They spent five years together, winning multiple tournaments, including the 2021 Amundi Evian Championship and the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. But, as happens in golf, they eventually went their separate ways, and Gilroyed moved on.

The life of a caddie is unpredictable. One day, you’re walking up the 18th fairway with a player, celebrating a big win, and the next, you’re looking for a new bag to carry. Gilroyed knows this better than anyone. He’s had some short-lived partnerships, too—like when Jessica Korda unexpectedly fired him mid-round at the U.S. Open because she felt he wasn’t talking to her enough.

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Then came 2025, when he collaborated with Kim, and things just clicked. His calm, experienced approach meshed well with her game, and together, they made an immediate impact. Their first big moment? Winning the Ford Championship—Kim’s breakthrough victory of the season.

But it’s not just about stats and trophies. The relationship between a golfer and a caddie is personal. It’s built on trust, communication, and knowing when to push and when to step back. Kim has found that in Gilroyed, and she also has a strong support system beyond just her caddie.

Kim’s supporters on the course

Golf might seem like a solo sport, but behind every champion is a team of people who lift them up, both on and off the course. For Hyo Joo Kim, that support system includes not just her caddie, Jason Gilroyed, but also her fellow LPGA players, trainers, and managers.

Take her recent win, for example. Mi Hyang Lee, a fellow LPGA player, was right there celebrating with her, despite it being her own birthday! “She congratulated me, and I really appreciated that—with all the friends, trainers, and managers,” Kim shared. And of course, no victory is complete without a champagne shower, which, as Kim joked, ended up in her eyes and made the moment even more memorable!

But while the post-win celebrations are fun, the real work happens on the course, and that’s where Gilroyed comes in. Caddies do so much more than carry clubs—they help with strategy, keep players calm under pressure, and offer advice when it counts the most. With decades of experience and a long history of working with top players, Gilroyed has seen it all. And now, alongside Kim, he’s helping her push for even bigger achievements.

So, could this partnership lead to another major win? Only time will tell. But one thing’s certain—Kim has all the right people in her corner, and she’s just getting started.