Justin Thomas is no stranger to the spotlight! After all, he is a PGA Tour veteran with 15 Tour wins. The American golf star has teed off at the 2024 Open Championship in Scotland, and all eyes are on him for all the right reasons. He is leading the tournament after the day 1 game. In March, just a week before the Masters, Thomas parted ways with his respected caddie, Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, who had joined him in 2021

“I’m going to be forever thankful for him joining me on the bag in 2021. His wisdom on and off the course has been a blessing during a tough stretch of my career and he was there every step of the way,” Thomas wrote on social media. When Mackay, who previously caddied for legend Phil Mickelson, left many wondering: What’s next for the 2x major champion? The answer came in the form of Matt Minister, JT’s new caddie.

The dynamic duo of Matt Minister and Justin Thomas

Matt Minister now caddies for Justin Thomas. The inclusion of a Minister brings a wealth of experience to the role. However, the veteran caddie’s partnership with Thomas is still in its early days, but the duo has already shown promise. 

With him on the bag, Thomas demonstrated a renewed sense of confidence and strategic prowess on the course. In the PGA Championship, he finished in a four-way tie for the 8th position, alongside Scottie Scheffler, Robert MacIntyre, and Billy Horschel. His performance adds to the support his new caddie has provided him since Mackay left his side. 

Although he couldn’t make the cut in the third major, the coveted US Open, he came back with a T5 position in his next outing. It was at the Travelers Championship, where, with Minister’s experience, he carded a notable 18 under par 280. 

So far, Minister’s expertise and Thomas’ skill seem like a potent combination, and their collaboration has already yielded impressive results. Now, as we delve deep into the pair’s partnership, let’s take a closer look at the man behind the caddie yardages: Matt Minister’s experiences, lifestyle, and what makes him the perfect fit for Thomas.

Matt Minister, the looper behind Justin Thomas’ new adventures

Hailing from Worthington, Ohio, Minister grew up with a passion for golf. He played college golf at Ohio State University. The man carrying Thomas’s bag comes with more than 20 years of caddying experience on both the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour. He has had the privilege of working with some of the game’s top players, including Patrick Cantlay, Sangmoon Bae, and Nick Price.

He explains the biggest highlight of his caddying career: winning the Memorial Tournament with Cantlay, a victory that resonated deeply given his Ohio roots. But what made it even more meaningful was where he learned to love the game from a young age: the Muirfield Village Golf Club.

When he’s not on the course, Minister enjoys lawn mowing, sizzling Mexican food, and a cold beer. The seasoned caddie also fuels up on Mexican food and enjoys live music and sports games on the road. With a golf handicap of 2, Minister is a force to be reckoned with on the course. He draws inspiration from the great Jack Nicklaus and is a huge fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

As Matt Minister and Justin Thomas take on the best of the best at the Open Championship, we can’t help but root for this dynamic duo. Will they make history? Share your thoughts in the comments section.