Matt Minister: Play the Miss, Not the Flag

Matt Minister has spent 20 years on the PGA Tour, accumulating nine wins with some of the game's most precise ball strikers. His approach to strategy is elegantly simple: choose a target where the miss is safe, then swing aggressively at that target. It sounds obvious — and yet it's the most consistently misunderstood concept in amateur golf.

“Pros don't aim at trouble and hope. We choose a target where the miss is safe — then swing aggressively at that.”

A Career Rebuilt by Nick Price

When Minister's Tour career stalled, it was Nick Price who recognised his talent and brought him into the PGA Tour Champions circuit. Price's endorsement opened doors, and Minister delivered — securing multiple victories and re-establishing himself as a caddie who could perform at the highest levels of the game. The moment was a turning point built on trust and talent.

The Hometown Victory at the Memorial

Winning the 2019 Memorial Tournament with Patrick Cantlay in Dublin, Ohio was particularly meaningful for Minister — the Memorial had been his hometown tournament since childhood. Walking those fairways as part of a winning team, in a tournament he'd watched growing up, was a moment that reminded him why the sacrifice of Tour life is worth it.

The Partnership with Cantlay — and the Timing of Thomas

Minister's move to Patrick Cantlay proved perfectly timed, launching a successful partnership that produced consistent results on the PGA Tour. His transition to Justin Thomas in 2024 continues that trajectory — a caddie with the experience, chemistry, and strategic sharpness to help elite players perform at their best.