Former World Number 1 Jason Day today confirmed PGA of Australia Professional Col Swatton will scale back his duties with the Queenslander’s game, handing over caddy duties ahead of the BMW Championship this week.

It’s a decision Day hasn’t taken lightly but a string of disappointing results that has seen him fall from World Number 1 to 9 in the World Rankings has forced his hand to make the adjustment.

Far from a complete split, Swatton will remain Day’s swing coach.

“He’s always going to be my coach, always will, unless he gets paid more somewhere else,” Day said.

“I’m planning on trying to keep him around. I don’t want anyone else to get coached by him because he’s a really good coach.”

In the 11 years Swatton has carried the bag for Day, the pair has won 10 PGA TOUR titles, including Day’s only Major victory at the 2015 PGA Championship, they were also together during the 2013 World Cup win.

“It’s always hard because we’ve been a team for so long. We’ve been really tight and been so close for very long and we’re still close.”

Swatton, the current Queensland PGA Coach of the Year, said he was incredibly proud of the achievements the pair have made and is looking forward to working with Day as coach outside of the ropes.

“Of course I’m disappointed to no longer be on his bag but I am so proud of what we have accomplished together so far,” Swatton told PGATOUR.com.

“To be able to go on the journey with him from struggling child to the best player in the world is something I’ll always cherish.

“And I look forward to our continued success as player and coach for years to come.”

Day’s childhood friend Luke Reardon will immediately take over caddy duties; however he passes the bag to fellow Aussie and PGA Pro David Lutterus for the Presidents Cup.

Swatton is in the running for the coveted Australian PGA Coach of the Year award at the Greg Norman Medal Dinner to be held Tuesday 28 November ahead of the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines 30 November – 3 December.