Live leaderboard: Round 2 of The Northern Trust

Phil Mickelson and longtime caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay announced Tuesday that they’ll part ways as player-caddie, after a successful 25-year tenure that included 41 PGA TOUR wins and five major titles. RELATED: Bones’ knee surgery | Mickelson player profile  Mickelson and Mackay released statements Tuesday afternoon to various golf media, stressing that the decision to end the player-caddie relationship was a mutual one; both felt it was the ‘right time for a change.’ Mickelson’s brother Tim will serve as caddie for the rest of the 2016-17 PGA TOUR season. “Bones is one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated caddies in the world,â€� Mickelson said in his statement. “He is always prepared and has the ability to make decisions in pressure-packed situations. Bones is without a doubt one of the most thoughtful people that I have ever known. The next player to work with him will obviously be very lucky. “My relationship and history with Bones far exceeds golf. He has been one of the most important and special people in my life since the day we met, and I will always be grateful for everything he has done for me.â€� Mickelson also added lightheartedly that Mackay had not yet used his famous ‘veto’ this season, and that vetoes are non-transferable. “When Phil hired me in 1992, I had one dream: to caddie in a Ryder Cup,â€� Mackay said in his statement. “Last year, at Hazeltine, Phil played in his 11th straight Ryder Cup. It was so cool to have a front row seat. “I wish Phil nothing but the best. His game is still at an elite level, and when he wins in the future (definitely the Masters), I will be among the first to congratulate him.â€�

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A change in the PGA TOUR’s Player Appearance guidelines will allow players to wear golf shorts during practice and pro-am rounds, effective immediately. The change applies only to tournaments operated on the six tours under the PGA TOUR umbrella. This week’s two TOUR events, the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship and the Puerto Rico Open, will be the first tournaments to offer players the apparel option. Newly elected PGA TOUR Player Advisory Council (PAC) Co-Chairman James Hahn informed his fellow pros in a message delivered on Monday. Per the guideline, shorts must be knee-length, tailored and neat in appearance. Compression leggings worn underneath shorts must be solid in color. Long pants remain required for all official competition rounds. The PGA of America has allowed players to wear shorts during practice rounds at the PGA Championship the last two years. The European Tour initiated their shorts-wearing policy for practice rounds in 2016. In 1999, caddies on the PGA TOUR were first allowed to wear shorts during competition days. Monday’s announcement follows many years of discussion. Players, fans, sponsors and tournaments provided positive feedback to allow the wearing of shorts during non-competition days. Tiger Woods was asked last year during a Facebook Live interview for his view on the topic. “I would love it,� Woods responded. “We play in some of the hottest climates on the planet. We usually travel with the sun, and a lot of our events are played in the summer.� Others have previously addressed the issue. “It makes the guys a lot more comfortable,� Rory McIlroy said. “… I don’t think there’s anything wrong with professional golfers showing the lower half of their leg.�

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