Tiger Woods hires Dustin Johnson’s caddie Joe LaCava – Golf news
What is now being considered as a surprise move, Joe LaCava, Dustin Johnson’s long time caddie, has decided to switch lanes as he will now be working for the former World Number One, Tiger Woods, as his third full-time caddie. Woods has been looking for
a caddie for almost two months after he fired his 12-year-long associate, Steve Williams, triggering a heated debate.
He has now hired the services of LaCava, who is hailed as one of the most established caddies in the sport. The decision has stunned the Johnson camp, who has recently claimed several accolades on both sides of the Atlantic.
David Winkle, Johnson's agent at Hambric Sports Management said, “Needless to say, Dustin and I were completely surprised, as they have enjoyed a great relationship and have been very successful together. Nonetheless, we think highly of Joe, both as a caddie
and a person, which is why he was hired in the first place. We wish him nothing but the best with his new employer.”
Woods was helped on the bag by his childhood friend and business partner, but the 14-major-winner needed a professional caddie who could help him on the course especially in his struggling form. Having missed two major events in the current season, Woods
failed to make the cut in the last major of the year, the PGA Championship, and is without a win for the last two years.
Butch Harmon, who is now coaching Johnson, was personally contacted by Woods, who insisted that he wanted to talk to LaCava. Harmon was the one who had suggested Johnson to team up with LaCava, who was caddying for Fred Couples and was laid back from work
due to Couples’ recurring injuries. Harmon was surprised the way Woods bypassed Johnson to talk to LaCava about the business opportunity, needless to say that Woods will be paying much more than LaCava was getting from his previous boss.
Johnson pulled in one of the strongest seasons in his career when he won the FedExCup opening challenge, the Barclays and also finished runner-up at the Open Championship in July. LaCava’s absence on the bag will go a long way in affecting Johnson’s performance
in the coming events, as the player will now be searching for a suitable caddie to carry his bag.
Woods will be heading into the Frys.com Open in two weeks at CordeValle, and to the President’s Cup and Australian Open thereafter. His two former caddies, Steve Williams, who now caddies for Adam Scott and Mike Cowan, who now caddies for Jim Furyk, will
be present in the upcoming events. Woods is now resting at Number 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), and desperately needs a break through to stay in the top-50. He failed to qualify for the lucrative FedExCup Playoff Championship last month.
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