Everyone knew that Max Homa will have a new caddie for The Masters this week after his longtime bagman left for Justin Thomas. But it was not known how the split transpired.

Normally it is either a mutual decision, or the golfer’s. But that was not the case here.

Homa made the announcement just two days prior to Thursday’s opening round, where he’ll be teeing up alongside Justin Rose and J.J. Spaun.

Joe Greiner has been at Homa’s side for most of his PGA TOUR career, and the two are extremely close. So the breakup was certainly a surprise. But Homa wanted to put to bed any potential talk of a rift between the two, saying he wanted what’s best for his friend.

“It was not my choice, so it sucked,” Homa said about the split. “But we always had a deal that we’re friends first, and friendship mattered more than the work thing, and he was wise enough to do what he did.”

Neither Homa nor Greiner is naive to the fact that Homa’s been struggling on TOUR of late. Currently ranked 81st in the World Golf Rankings, he’s actually one spot below Jon Rahm, who plays on the LIV Golf tour and can only score OWGR points during majors.

Thomas, on the other hand, is having a strong season on TOUR. The veteran pro has finished in the Top 10 in four of his eight starts this season, including two runner-up finishes. One of those came in his most recent start before The Masters when he came in second to Viktor Hovland at the Valspar Championship.

Greiner became Homa’s full-time caddie during the 2019 season, and the following year is when Homa’s career flourished. Prior to Greiner being on his bag, the only grand slam he’d been played in was when he won the 2013 NCAA Championship and qualified for that year’s US Open.

He’s since won six TOUR events and played in 20 straight majors, with his best finish being a third-place run in last year’s Masters.

But Homa insists the two are parting ways on great terms. How long they remain apart, or if they eventually get back together remains to be seen. But it’s clear Homa is hoping for that at some point.

“It sucks because I just pictured always walking fairways with Joe,” Homa lamented. “But again, that was not the deal. I would rather walk life with Joe forever than this dumb game.”

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