Craig Connelly and Martin Kaymer
Less than three months after becoming world number one Martin Kaymer has broken up with his Scottish caddie Craig Connelly.
Connelly flew with the German from Florida to Spain on Sunday night, but it will be Kaymer's brother Philip who will be carrying his bag in the Volvo World Match Play Championship starting on Thursday.
'For me it was just time to change and move on,' said the 26-year-old.
'We've talked about it a few times already, but on Sunday we had a little chat and just decided to go our separate ways.'
A full-time replacement could be in place for next week's BMW PGA Championship - and after the year Kaymer has had there will be no shortage of people willing to step into Connelly's shoes.
Kaymer lifted the first major title of his career at the US PGA Championship last August, won his next two tournaments as well - three if you include the Ryder Cup - and in November topped the European Tour.
In February he took over from Lee Westwood as world number one by reaching the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona, but he then missed the cut in The Masters for the fourth successive year and has since slipped to third in the rankings behind Westwood and Luke Donald.
Kaymer added: 'Obviously Craig and me, we had a fantastic year together - he's a very good caddie.
'I just felt like I needed a change. It has nothing really to do with Craig - he's a fantastic guy and he's been a good caddie for me.
Since his amateur days Kaymer has been mentored by Fanny Sunesson, former caddie of Nick Faldo and now with struggling Swede Henrik Stenson.
Almost certainly she will not be taking the job as his caddie, however.
'I think what we are doing is very good and I don't think we will really change that.'
His brother, who is studying law in Cologne, worked as Kaymer's caddie in his rookie season.
'I'll just try to have some fun with him this week and we'll see what happens at Wentworth if I find somebody.
'If not, I'm sure I will find somebody for the US Open.'
