14 January 2024 , 19:52
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Legendary golf caddie Joe LaCava claimed 15-time major champion Tiger Woods has been selfless away from the cameras throughout his illustrious career.
Woods - who ended his iconic 27-year partnership with Nike recently - is widely regarded as the greatest golfer in the sport’s history. However, his legacy has taken a number of hits over the years amid the controversies in his personal life.
Regardless, LaCava is a staunch defender of the 48-year-old. His faith and love for Woods has never wavered, and he has collected a number of remarkable stories about his long-time employer.
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Back in April ahead of the 2023 Masters where Jon Rahm emerged victorious, LaCava claimed Woods met with with Augusta National Women’s Amateur champ Rose Zhang and Drive, Chip, and Putt winners on the greens. He appeared to suggest Woods has grown as a person over the years, adding: “Tiger would’ve never done that years ago.”
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Ahead of the visit to Augusta, LaCava opened up on the four-time Masters champion. He unveiled some personal stories from the past which had Woods extend some sweet gestures to his caddie’s family.
Speaking to the New York Post, LaCava revealed how Woods gifted him a ‘flashy’ Rolex watch after his stunning 2019 Masters victory. He also waxed lyrical about how Woods gave him his beach house in Florida for LaCava’s wife Megan and daughter Lauren to celebrate her birthday, complete with balloons, presents, and lunch on his yacht.
Tiger Woods is looking to play more professional golf events in 2024 after an injury-hit season (Getty Images)LaCava also claimed that Woods once casually mentioned he had paid for the construction of a library for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital while visiting a fundraiser. Lauding Woods, LaCava said: “He’s done so many of those things that people don’t know about.”
Woods has outlined his intention to play ‘once a month’ on tour in 2024, reiterating his target after completing 72 holes in his comeback at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in November. Speaking to reporters about his planned schedule, Woods said: “I think that if you asked me right now I’m a little sore, but once a month seems reasonable.
“Having a couple of weeks off to recover, a week to build up, there’s no reason why I can’t get into a rhythm. It’s just a matter of getting in better shape basically. I feel like my game’s not that far off, but I need to get in better shape.”