Meet Michael Thorbjornsen’s Caddie: JJ Jakovac
Michael Thorbjornsen has transitioned from a successful amateur golf career to professional play with the help of experienced caddies. One of the most significant partnerships in his journey is with JJ Jakovac, who previously caddied for Major champion Collin Morikawa.
Thorbjornsen’s Amateur Success and Transition to Professional Golf
Thorbjornsen’s amateur career peaked with a quarterfinal appearance at the prestigious 2020 US Amateur. At that time, he was supported by Karl Vilips, close friends who later both celebrated victories in golf. Fast forward two years, Thorbjornsen played again at the US Open, this time with Drew Cohen, another childhood friend, by his side.
Cohen continued his role as Thorbjornsen’s caddy, even assisting him at the 2023 Dubai Desert Classic, where Thorbjornsen finished T20. In 2024, he completed his amateur journey successfully, topping the PGA Tour University rankings and earning his PGA Tour card.
Entering the Professional Arena
Upon turning professional, Thorbjornsen teamed up with Lance Bennett, Tiger Woods’ former caddy. Bennett proved instrumental in guiding Thorbjornsen through his early career, including achieving a T25 finish at the 2025 PGA Championship.
However, the collaboration with Bennett was brief, as Thorbjornsen sought the guidance of another seasoned caddy: JJ Jakovac.
Meet Michael Thorbjornsen’s Caddie: JJ Jakovac
JJ Jakovac is well-known in the golf community, previously caddying for Collin Morikawa. During their time together, Morikawa secured two Major championships: the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open. Jakovac’s expertise has contributed to six PGA Tour wins for Morikawa before Morikawa made a notable switch to Joe Greiner in May 2025.
- Thorbjornsen’s partnership with Jakovac has already yielded positive results.
- Highlights include a T4 finish at the 2025 Rocket Classic.
- They also secured a third-place finish at the Baycurrent Classic.
Jakovac’s Background and Career
Jakovac, a talented golfer in his own right, attended California State University, Chico from 2000 to 2004. He won two individual championships during his time there and received the Jack Nicklaus Award in 2004 for his exceptional performance in collegiate golf.
Before fully committing to caddying, Jakovac briefly pursued a career in construction. His caddying experience includes working with notable golfers like Matt Bettencourt and Ryan Moore.
The collaboration between Thorbjornsen and Jakovac is rapidly developing, as evidenced by strong performances in early 2026. Both players continue to hone their skills, with Thorbjornsen performing well on the leaderboard at events like the WM Phoenix Open.
As Thorbjornsen builds his professional career, JJ Jakovac’s guidance and experience will undoubtedly play a crucial role in his future successes on the PGA Tour.
