JJ Jakovac: From NCAA Champion to Carrying the Claret Jug

Before he was the man holding the Claret Jug at The Open Championship, JJ Jakovac was a two-time NCAA Division II individual champion and the winner of the 2004 Jack Nicklaus Award — the most decorated amateur golfer of his generation. His journey from college champion to Collin Morikawa's trusted caddie is a story about what elite golf knowledge looks like at every level.

“If the pin is tucked right and you miss right, you're dead. Aim middle. Give yourself a putt, not a short-sided nightmare.”

The Historic Hole-in-One at the Island Green

In 2025, Jakovac became the first caddie ever to hole-in-one on TPC Sawgrass's famous 17th island green during the caddie competition. The 17th is one of the most iconic and terrifying holes in golf — and Jakovac aced it. A remarkable achievement that reflects both his playing ability and his comfort in high-stakes moments.

Carrying the Claret Jug

In 2021, Jakovac caddied for Collin Morikawa's Open Championship victory at Royal St George's. Walking up the 18th fairway with the Claret Jug — golf's oldest and most prestigious trophy — is a moment that defines a career. It was the product of 15 years on Tour, an intimate understanding of Morikawa's game, and the kind of preparation that never shows but always delivers.

The NCAA Pedigree That Shapes Everything

Jakovac's two NCAA titles (2002 and 2004) aren't just résumé items — they're the foundation of how he thinks on the course. He understands ball flight, pressure, and strategic decision-making from the inside. When he tells Morikawa to aim at the middle of the green, it comes from a player's knowledge, not a spectator's guess.