Phil Mickelson declared long time caddy Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay being named Caddy of the Year caps off a remarkable season for the five-time Major Champion.

Bones was presented with the leading award at a function within the official Le Meridien Hotel on Friday night.

It the first time Bones has won the coveted caddy award and ahead of some similar very talented caddies including England’s Gareth Lord who caddies for Henrik Stenson.

Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay named 2013 Caddy of the Year. (Photo – David Cannon/HSBC Champions)

“I was very pleased and it’s well deserved as I believe he is the best at what he does and to be recognised by his peers is pretty special, so I am very happy for him,” said Mickelson after posting a level par 72 on day three of the WGC – HSBC Champions event.

“I am lucky to have had Bones on the bag now for 21 years and it’s been a great 21 years.

“It caps another great year for he and I, and while I’m already excited about next year to have had that the two week winning stretch we had in winning the Scottish Open and then The Open was very special, so for Bones to win that award is pretty special.”

Mickelson still recalls the very first day Mackay caddied for him at that was at a 36-hole qualifier for the 1992 US Open in Memphis.

“I never doubted his qualities that very first day and not once since, so he’s been great.”