Despite Similar Circumstances, Tiger Woods Took a Different Approach Toward Joe LaCava Than With Steve Williams

The opportunity of carrying the bag of one of the greatest golfers of all time isn’t given to everyone. Fortunately for Joe LaCava and Steve Williams, both men caddied for Tiger Woods for more than a decade. Though the caddie duo worked alongside the Hall of Famer for a similar period, one had a positive ending while the other’s hard feelings last to this day.

Earlier this week, the golf world was stunned when Tiger’s current caddie announced moving away from the 15-time Major winner and joining forces with the 8-time PGA Tour winner Patrick Cantlay. However, apart from the latest update, another piece of news that was more surprising was how open Woods was with LaCava’s departure, unlike his last caddie.

Better farewell for LaCava than Williams from Tiger Woods

After undergoing a successful Subtalar Fusion procedure, Woods is set to miss most of the 2022-23 season. Deeming to this, LaCava decided to sign with Cantlay after being with Tiger since 2011. Nonetheless, the 15-time Major winner wasn’t very annoyed with Joe’s decision.

After firing his long-time caddie Matt ‘Rev’ Minister, Patrick Cantlay offered Joe LaCava the vacant position. Upon receiving the offer, LaCava asked Tiger Woods permission to make the jump. The 47-year-old without any hesitation responded to his caddie by saying, “You’d be crazy not to take the job”. According to LaCava, he further added, “Go for it. Go win some tournaments and have a great time”.

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While Joe will carry the bag for Cantlay from this week’s Wells Fargo Championship, it won’t be the first time the duo has worked together on PGA Tour. He has previously caddied for Patrick in a sub-in role. Nonetheless, the theme of Tiger’s caddie moving away from him to a different golfer due to Woods’ injury sounds familiar. However, the ending to the relationship wasn’t as blossoming as LaCava’s.

Similar narrative, a different ending for Steve Williams

During the 2011 PGA Tour season, Woods’ career was hijacked by a series of injuries, forcing him to compete in only 9 events. While it was Joe LaCava’s decision to move on from the golfer, Tiger’s caddie back then Steve Williams was fired by the Hall of Famer.

As Tiger Woods was dealing with injuries, he sat out for two months and ended up missing the 2011 US Open and Open Championship. But Williams, who was his caddie for 12 years, decided to carry the bag of Australian golfer Adam Scott. During a 2013 interview, Steve claimed that Woods approved his decision to caddie for Scott in a phone call by saying, ‘No Problem’.

Nonetheless, after allowing the Kiwi caddie for the Aussie, Tiger Woods had a change of mind. “After some thought, though, he didn’t agree with it. Tiger changed his mind“, said Williams. Since Steve had already given his word to Adam, he eventually caddied for the Aussie and ended up upsetting Tiger Woods.

However, 12 years after the infamous incident, Woods has allowed Joe LaCava to caddie for Patrick Cantlay. Moreover, Joe has also elaborated on how he still has a great relationship with Woods. Either the 15-time Major winner may soon share his displeasure with LaCava’s decision or perhaps he must have taken a positive approach with this farewell unlike in the past.

Has Tiger Woods changed in the past 12 years? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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