Jonathan “JJ” Jakovac, the caddie for Collin Morikawa, made a memorable visit to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida on Wednesday. Jakovac, usually seen watching Morikawa ace shots in front of fans, had a chance to shine himself when he arrived at the tee box at the famous par-3 “Island Green.” He hit a ball that settled briefly on the green’s downslope before rolling back and completing an ace. Jakovac described his thought process, noting that the ball had to ride the wind and he knew it had a perfect line if it landed the right distance. Morikawa also weighed in, stating that any hole-in-one is special, but hitting one on the 17th hole against every other caddie was particularly significant.
Jakovac’s shot came during the annual Caddie Contest, held on the Wednesday before The Players Championship for the past 25 years. Jakovac became the first caddie in the contest’s history to make a hole-in-one, attracting attention and garnering praise from his fellow golfers and caddies. Min Woo Lee, Isaiah Salinda, and Jason Day all celebrated Jakovac’s accomplishment, highlighting his impressive skills on the course. Jakovac had success as a golfer himself, earning national player of the year honors twice while playing at Chico State.
The Florida-Times Union reported that Jakovac’s ace earned him an undisclosed sum of money, a $10,000 sponsor award, and VIP parking access for the remainder of the tournament. The unique moment on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass added to Jakovac’s already impressive resume and provided a highlight reel moment for both him and his fellow competitors. The Caddie Contest offers caddies a chance to showcase their skills on the course and have some fun before the main event, with Jakovac’s hole-in-one standing out as a remarkable feat.
Jakovac’s hole-in-one at TPC Sawgrass was a rare and exciting moment that will likely be remembered for years to come. The impressive shot on the famous par-3 “Island Green” showcased Jakovac’s talent and skill as a caddie and added to his already successful career in the world of golf. Morikawa and other players acknowledged the significance of the achievement, with Morikawa noting the special nature of any hole-in-one and the added thrill of achieving it against other caddies in the contest. Jakovac’s success at the Caddie Contest added to his reputation and brought him recognition and rewards for his exceptional performance.
Overall, Jonathan “JJ” Jakovac’s visit to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida proved to be a memorable experience, with his hole-in-one at the Caddie Contest showcasing his talent and skill on the course. The unique moment added to Jakovac’s already successful career and highlighted his abilities as a caddie for Collin Morikawa, the No. 4-ranked golfer in the world. The event provided a fun and competitive opportunity for caddies to show off their skills and have some lighthearted competition before The Players Championship. Jakovac’s impressive shot on the 17th hole earned him accolades, rewards, and recognition from his peers, solidifying his place as a standout in the world of golf and adding to the excitement of the tournament for both players and fans.
