Phil Mickelson’s ex-caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay enjoys better British Open than former boss

Phil Mickelson may be having a swell time with his younger brother, Tim, on his bag now that he and his longtime caddie, Jim “Bones” Mackay, have split. But we can’t help but believe it would be even more enjoyable if Lefty were not heading home after just two rounds at the British Open.

For sure, if Mickelson was hoping a fresh set of eyes might help him break his four-year winless drought, well, that will have to wait until the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, his likely next start, in two weeks. Because after a 73-77 and a missed cut, Phil had his worst Open finish since 2012.

It was certainly not the outcome 2013 Open champion and last year’s runner-up envisioned last month when he and Mackay ended their successful 25-year partnership that yielded five major titles.

“It’s been fun having Tim with me,’’ Mickelson told the New York Post earlier this week. “We’ve had a really good time. There’s no replacing Bones. I know how great he is. He’s going to do great on television.”

Speaking of which, Mackay has settled in nicely for his debut this week as an on-course reporter for NBC/Golf Channel. And unlike his former employer, he’ll be here all week.

After his introduction to the Open TV audience on Thursday morning included a video tribute to his years as Mickelson’s bagman, Mackay opened as Adam Scott was teeing off on the par-3 12th with a routine, “Thanks, Dan [Hicks]. Adam has a 7-iron” remark, according to Golf.com.

Mackay employed his ability to analyze and communicate various facets of the game during his opening gambit.

“He can use this right-to-left wind to turn it into this left hole location,” Bones said about Scott’s tee shot on No. 12.

As Mickelson’s luggage handler, Mackay was never at a loss for words as he and Phil entertained viewers with their never-ending in-round conferences. In addition to bringing his straightforward style and expertise of all things golf to the microphone, Bones tells a helluva good tale.

He shared an amusing story involving Bubba Watson, a private plane, and — gasp — a bet with Mickelson.

Golf fans are likely to miss the chitchat between Bones and Lefty, but while Mickelson is on his way home, they can still enjoy Mackay’s insights for the rest of the weekend.