Collin Morikawa continued his 2025 PGA Tour season at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last week, playing alongside Kurt Kitayama.
But Morikawa and Kitayama failed to make the cut at TPC Louisiana, with Ben Griffin and Ben Novak winning the Zurich Classic.
The PGA Tour now moves on to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, although many big names such as Morikawa have decided to skip the event.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is, however, involved, along with the likes of Jordan Spieth, Sam Burns and Tom Kim.
Morikawa has, however, still managed to hit the headlines despite opting to miss out on the tournament at TPC Craig Ranch.
Rex Hoggard not surprised by caddie change from Collin Morikawa
The six-time PGA Tour champion has split with long-time caddie JJ Jakovac, replacing him with Joe Greiner.
Sharing his verdict on the decision, Rex Hoggard said on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex & Lav: “It’s not a big surprise. It’s sort of how it works when a player is struggling.
READ MORE: Collin Morikawa says there’s one question many amateur golfers fail to ask when they’re playing golf
“He is not getting the results he wants. Look at Collin Morikawa’s resume, he is certainly not struggling compared to the rest of the PGA Tour, you would say he is having a really good season.
“You and I both have heard the aggravation in his voice, however, that he cannot get over the finish line, that he can’t get back to the winner’s circle.
“That seemed to be something that was very easy for him early in his career. This is what the usual MO is.
“This is the playbook when a player is not getting the results they want, whether that is making cuts or winning.
“It doesn’t matter, you are going to find a new caddie, a new swing, a new putting coach. You are going to look at everyone except yourself in the mirror.”
Ryan Lavner says what message Collin Morikawa has sent with caddie change
Morikawa boasts six PGA Tour wins in his career so far aged 28, with Jakovac having been on the bag for all six.
That includes triumphs at the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
The pair had worked together since Morikawa turned professional in 2019, but his last win came all the way back at the 2023 Zozo Championship.
He has certainly come close to breaking that dry spell this season, with two runner-up finishes in his eight events so far.
Ryan Lavner also offered his take on the major change, saying: “It is obviously an individual pursuit and only Collin Morikawa knows what is going to be best for him.
“Only he is going to know what is happening inside the ropes over those four or five hours that they’re competing.
“If I have learned anything, there is not some NFL big board of the best available coaches in terms of your swing or putting.
“There’s not some best available caddies, right? If you miss out on one you don’t just go to the next. Every individual need is different.
| Year | Wins | Tournaments |
| 2023 | 1 | Zozo Championship |
| 2021 | 2 | The Open Championship World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession |
| 2020 | 2 | PGA Championship Workday Charity Open |
| 2019 | 1 | Barracuda Championship |
“So even if on the outside this does seem surprising that the world number four, who has won two major championships, who is coming off the best strokes gained season of his career, who already has two runner-up finishes in 2025 might seem surprising on the outside, it is a good reminder that these are inter-personal relationships and only he knows what is going to work best for him.
“I think the overall message here is that whatever is happening for Collin Morikawa, he has not won since 2023, even though he has been very competitive over the past year and a half.
“This shows he is not content with just very good. Hiring Joe Grenier he believes he can access a new level that he is not currently at.”
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