Why Justin Thomas’ dad is caddying for him in Hawaii — and why another familiar face will carry his bag next week

It took just two PGA Tour rounds in 2018 for another star golfer to make a caddie change. This time, though, it’s only temporary.

RELATED: 15 things you need to know about Justin Thomas

The AP’s Doug Ferguson reported on Saturday that Justin Thomas’ regular caddie, Jimmy Johnson, is injured. And the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year will have a very familiar face filling in this weekend in Hawaii: His father, Mike, a longtime PGA professional.

Johnson carried Thomas’ bag the first two rounds at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, where Thomas was 27th (out of 34 players) through 36 holes. Johnson has been Thomas’ caddie since 2015 and the two have won all seven of JT’s PGA Tour titles together, including his first major at last year’s PGA Championship. Thomas is the defending champ in Maui.

So good luck to Mike Thomas as he takes on this replacement gig. He’s got a lot to live up to — and he’s got some pretty hilly terrain to navigate at Kapalua’s Plantation Course.

UPDATE No. 1:

Justin Thomas shot a two-over 75 for the second consecutive day.

“Legs are tired,” Mike Thomas said after the round. “Always nice to be able to do that with your son though.”

It was the first time Thomas has caddied for his son since the 2016 QBE Shootout. He added that someone else will be on the bag next week as his son tries to defend another title in Hawaii at the Sony Open.

UPDATE No. 2:

Jim “Bones” Mackay, Phil Mickelson’s longtime bagman turned NBC/Golf Channel analyst, will fill in as Justin Thomas’ caddie next week. Yep, this is really happening.

We’re going to go ahead and say that’s the most exciting caddie-related news of all time.