Tiger Woods’ longtime caddie, Joe LaCava, giving him space during treatment: ‘He’s got to help himself’
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods’ longtime buddy and former caddie, Joe LaCava, mentioned Wednesday that he has not reached out to the five-time Masters champion since his automobile crash and subsequent DUI charge for a particular purpose.
“He’s got to help himself, which is what I’m hoping he’ll do,” LaCava advised TheAthletic. “But I have not made any contact with him. I’m leaving him alone and letting him figure it out for himself.”
The Hall of Fame caddie was on the bag for Woods for his final victory at Augusta National in 2019, when the 43-year-old participant ended a private drought within the main championships that spanned almost 11 years. This yr, Woods was making an attempt to return to the Masters after one more spherical of again and leg emergencies when his March 27 arrest in Jupiter Island, Fla., prompted him to announce days later that he was “stepping away” for a time period. Woods mentioned he would “seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
A decide granted the 50-year-old Woods permission to seek inpatient treatment outside the country.
“He’s got enough people probably texting him and stalking him, right?” mentioned LaCava, now caddying for Patrick Cantlay. “I don’t need to bother him. I care greatly about him. I’m not pissed at him. He knows that. He knows that I care deeply about him. He’s got enough stuff going on, so I’m sure we’ll communicate once he’s back home. I’m assuming he doesn’t have access to his phone anyway.”
LaCava was by Tiger’s aspect for the 2019 comeback victory that was seen as extremely unlikely on the time. Asked if he felt a wholesome, post-treatment Woods might contend on the Masters as soon as once more, the way in which a 58-year-old Jack Nicklaus did in 1998, LaCava mentioned, “I do not see why not.
“He’s got anything in him, and he’s proven that. But yeah, that’s the hope for me. …He’s done everything, right? He’s going to be 50-plus, I get it. But I wouldn’t put anything past the guy. So I’d never write him off.”
As for this yr’s version of the Masters, minus Woods, LaCava mentioned, “The tournament is going to be phenomenal, but of course it’s going to miss Tiger. How could it not?”
