The golf world has been stunned to study that Patrick Cantlay has employed Joe LaCava, Tiger Woods’ hitherto caddie, with whom he has labored since 2011. The collaboration between Cantlay and LaCava will start this weekend on the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte.
From the Quail Hole Membership, dwelling of the match, this Wednesday, Patrick Cantlay answered questions on this topic from the well-known journalist Dan Rappaport:
“I’ve heard quite a few nice issues about Joe, and once I reached out to him, he stated it was doable and ended up figuring out and I’m actually joyful about it,” Cantlay stated.
As for calling Tiger Woods after hiring LaCava, the golfer didn’t say a lot:
“I haven’t spoken to Tiger,” have been his solely phrases.
Patrick Cantlay stated he did *not* communicate to Tiger Woods earlier than reaching out to Joe LaCava about caddieing for him.
Patrick Cantlay stated he did *not* communicate to Tiger Woods earlier than reaching out to Joe LaCava about caddieing for him. https://t.co/flubODGWES
Patrick Cantlay was additionally requested about his earlier caddie, Matt “Rev” Minister:
“I am extremely grateful to him, I simply wanted a change,” Cantlay stated.
In the meantime, Tiger Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, was additionally requested about this subject on Twesday. Right here’s what he stated to ESPN:
“Joe referred to as Tiger to ask him and get his approval. In fact, Tiger gave it. Tiger and Joe are like brothers, super pals. You should not learn something extra in to that apart from Joe needs to caddie. He loves it. It is his ardour. He is nice at it and the most effective.”
“Tiger stated repeatedly he will play a really restricted schedule across the majors, his occasions, the father-son, assuming that every thing goes nicely within the rehab and restoration. Joe needs to work, and so I believe Tiger received that. We’re simply shifting on.” Steinberg added.
Joe LaCava: From Tiger Woods to Patrick Cantlay
LaCava’s resolution to simply accept a brand new job with Patrick Cantlay comes after Tiger Woods underwent ankle surgical procedure following the Masters, including to the intense accidents he suffered in a automobile accident in February 2021 and the quite a few surgical procedures he has had all through his profession.
Woods has not specified when he’ll return to the competitors, however it’s presumed that he’ll miss this month’s PGA Championship, more than likely June’s US Open and July’s Open Championship and presumably the remainder of the PGA Tour season.
In opposition to this backdrop, LaCava has opted to search for a brand new participant to work with, and has chosen Patrick Cantlay, the most effective golfers on the planet at this time. Cantlay is ranked fourth on the planet and has gained eight occasions on the PGA Tour.
LaCava had labored with Patrick Cantlay as soon as earlier than on the 2021 Northern Belief, however had by no means taken a full-time job with one other participant since becoming a member of Woods. Previous to Tiger, he had caddied for Fred {Couples} for 22 years.
The connection between Woods and LaCava has all the time been shut {and professional}. Collectively, they’ve 11 victories, together with a five-win season in 2013 and the historic 2019 Masters, the one main Woods has gained with LaCava.