Tiger’s Faithful Caddie LaCava Answers If He Contemplated Taking Another Regular Bag

I always wondered what Tiger Woods’ faithful caddie Joe LaCava was doing during his boss’ mending process. Besides of course turning down other bag offers to kill time. It’s hard to believe the pair have been together for seven years now.

ESPN’s Bob Harig asked LaCava if he contemplated leaving Woods for a regular bag.

When Tiger was sidelined, it was fair for LaCava, 54, to wonder if he wanted to get back to more regular work, if there would be more lucrative opportunities by getting back inside ropes.

But LaCava never looked at the situation that way.

“I think [Tiger] was looking out for me more than anything,” LaCava said. “I don’t think he knew where he was at. … But he probably knows how bored he was at the time, so he could imagine how bored I was. And it’s just a fact — I don’t like to sit around. This guy’s been great to me and I love him like a brother. I wasn’t going anywhere.”

“LaCava is a stud. He’s positive, upbeat, competitive,” said Woods, who has made a habit of choosing caddies with immense experience. “Man, he’s into it and he’s been a great friend over the years, but especially the last couple of years when it’s been tough.”

“People say I was very loyal, they wonder if I thought about leaving,” LaCava said. “At the end of the day, there are only so many elite jobs out here. I feel pretty fortunate. They’re all great players [in the field] — really, really good players.

“But there are probably 10 elite guys out here. This guy is one of the top two of all time, so I never questioned it.”

Woods earned more than $15 million in prize money during that period of success before back problems sidelined him, and the nine victories each came with a paycheck of $1 million or more. If Woods paid the standard fare of 10 percent for a victory and a sliding scale from there, it’s no stretch to think LaCava earned more than $1 million during that time.