Paul McGinley puzzled by timing of Rory McIlroy’s caddie exit decision

The timing of the decision rather than the actual ending of the nine-year player-caddie relationship between Rory McIlroy and JP Fitzgerald was the biggest surprise for Paul McGinley.

McIlroy ended a partnership with long-time caddie Fitzgerald at the weekend, a partnership that took the Northern Irishman to four major titles and the top of the world rankings. McIlroy will have a new caddie on his bag at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational this week.

Fitzgerald’s sacking, which McIlroy is expected to confirm on his arrival at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, comes barely a week after he publicly thanked his bagman for jolting him into gear when he made a poor start to the British Open.