Who Phil Mickelson's ex-caddie is rooting for at Masters - and it's not LIV Golf star

Jim 'Bones' MacKay is a popular figure in golf, and the caddie-turned-analyst revealed who he is hoping takes home the Green Jacket at the Masters, the first major of the year

Phil Mickelson’s former caddie Jim ‘Bones’ MacKay is backing Rory McIlroy to end his major drought and finally complete the career Grand Slam at the Masters.

MacKay has a rich history at the iconic Augusta National. He caddied Mickelson to three green jackets during his time together with the LIV Golf star, who is also teeing off in 2025. MacKay has previously recalled the time Mickelson showed his true colors in the parking lot at Augusta after winning the Masters.

While he didn’t make the trip to Georgia last year as he had just split with Justin Thomas, MacKay is now working as an analyst for NBC - and he’s backing McIlroy for glory. The Northern Irishman was in fine form leading up to the anticipated first major of the year, twice winning on the PGA Tour, and he is currently six-under par through two rounds after a stellar showing on Friday.

“I think Scottie Scheffler’s the favorite, but no question Rory McIlroy is the sentimental favorite,” Mackay told Fox News Digital. “You would hate to see a guy like Rory play his entire career and not win the Masters and reap the benefits of the champions dinner and having that green jacket.

“He’s too good a guy and has done too much to the game for that not to happen. As much as Scottie is the betting favorite, I secretly will be rooting for Rory to have a good week.”

McIlroy won four major titles early in his career and even appeared set to clinch the elusive green jacket back in 2012. However, he collapsed with a nightmare final round of 81 - and Mackay hopes memories of the wretched final round doesn’t affect the 35-year-old.

“At Augusta National, it can certainly get in your head a little bit. It’s so much easier to win the tournament a second and third time than it is the first time,” Mackay said. “Scottie [Scheffler] is always going to have that green jacket. He’s always going to come back to the Tuesday night dinner, and Rory desperately wants to be a part of that.

“He’s got a game perfectly suited to this golf course, but it’s more of a mental battle than it is a physical one.”

McIlroy came agonizingly close to ending his major drought at the 2024 U.S. Open but missed two brutally close putts in the final three holes as Bryson DeChambeau stormed to snatch the title. However, while playing with Ludvig Aberg and Akshay Bhatia, McIlroy stormed up the standings following a disappointing first round.

McIlroy enjoyed an electric back nine, hitting back-to-back birdies on the par-four 10th and 11th holes alongside an eagle on the par-five 13th. He then added another birdie on the par-five 15th. McIlroy will tee off for his third round at Augusta National on Saturday.