Caddy Joe LaCava, who has been by the side of Tiger Woods, the ‘Emperor of Golf’ for a long time, has decided to work with Patrick Cantley, who is ranked 4th in the world.
Golf Channel and Golf Week, American golf media outlets, said on the 3rd, “Tiger Woods’ caddy, Joe LaCava, will wear Patrick Cantley’s bag from this week’s Wells Fargo Championship. The two signed full-time contracts.” This appears to be a change that has come as Woods recently underwent ankle surgery, making his return unclear.
Cantlay recently parted ways with veteran caddy Matt Minster. Cantlay had experience working with LaCava during the Northern Trust, the first FedEx Cup match in 2021, when Mr. Minster had COVID-19, and was crowned FedEx Cup champion at the time. It is rumored that Cantlay, who has won eight victories on the PGA Tour, needs LaCava’s experience as he has yet to win a major.
La Cava served as caddy for Steve Stricker (USA) at the Zurich Classic two weeks ago. As Stricker stated, it was a one-time event. However, the contract with Cantlay means a complete transfer. Justin Thomas (USA), who is close to Woods, said in an interview with Golf Week, “I think there was probably Woods’ consent. La Cava is never the first person to leave Woods’ side.”
LaCava received offers from several players on the PGA Tour to work with him when Woods was involved in a major car accident two years ago, but he flatly declined. And he loyally stood by Woods. La Cava was unmoved even when Woods underwent multiple surgeries from 2015 onwards. It is said that La Cava inherited this honesty from his parents. His mother worked as a teacher for 32 years and his father worked at a bank for over 30 years.안전놀이터
La Cava first began working as a caddy in 1983, when he was 19, tying his cousin Ken Green’s bags. Since then, he has been with Fred Couples for more than 20 years, winning 12 victories together, including winning the 1992 Masters. And he went through Davis Love III, Justin Leonard, and Dustin Johnson, and worked as Woods’ caddy since 2011, winning 12 wins together, including winning the Masters in 2019. La Cava was inducted into the Caddy Hall of Fame in 2019.