The golf world has been shocked to be taught 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 lot of nice issues about Joe, and after I reached out to him, he mentioned it was potential and ended up understanding and I’m actually completely satisfied about it,” Cantlay mentioned.
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 was additionally requested about his earlier caddie, Matt “Rev” Minister:
“I am extremely grateful to him, I simply wanted a change,” Cantlay mentioned.
In the meantime, Tiger Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, was additionally requested about this matter on Twesday. Right here’s what he mentioned 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, great mates. 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 among the best.”
“Tiger mentioned repeatedly he will play a really restricted schedule across the majors, his occasions, the father-son, assuming that all the pieces goes effectively within the rehab and restoration. Joe needs to work, and so I feel Tiger acquired 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 automotive 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, almost certainly June’s US Open and July’s Open Championship and presumably the remainder of the PGA Tour season.
Towards this backdrop, LaCava has opted to search for a brand new participant to work with, and has chosen Patrick Cantlay, among the best golfers on the earth at the moment. Cantlay is ranked fourth on the earth and has received eight instances 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 at all times 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 received with LaCava.
