In an exclusive interview with GOLF’s Sean Zak, Joe LaCava provides detailed insights into his journey as a caddie for golfing legends. Caddying plays a vital role in the game of golf, encompassing tasks such as carrying a player’s equipment, maintaining the course, and offering crucial guidance and support. LaCava, a caddie with over four decades of experience, shares his experiences working with renowned players.
LaCava commenced his career in the 1980s and recently shared his perspective on accompanying some of the game’s greatest players, including Tiger Woods. Reflecting on his early days, LaCava admits to having a natural talent for reading greens, an essential skill in golf. During a Q&A session, he reveals that his journey began by caddying for his father or other individuals during three-day member-guest events or club tournaments. However, he never envisioned caddying as a long-term career path, let alone reaching the heights he has achieved.
Despite his passion for his profession, LaCava shares a candid moment of vulnerability when he admits to feeling fearful of reading a putt on the 70th hole at Augusta while caddying for Tiger Woods. He recalls Woods playfully teasing him afterward, highlighting the swift nature of the moment. This anecdote demonstrates the intensity and pressure that come with the role of a caddie, even when working alongside golfing legends.
When discussing the player-caddie relationship and transitioning between different players, LaCava emphasizes the importance of compatibility. Spending long hours together on the golf course, sometimes for consecutive weeks, requires a strong rapport between the caddie and the player. LaCava specifically mentions his experience with Tiger Woods, noting how impressed he was by Woods’ low-maintenance nature while craving a wealth of information. Additionally, LaCava admires Woods’ sense of ownership on the golf course, taking responsibility for every aspect of his game.
Having recently parted ways with Tiger Woods, LaCava now serves as the caddie for golf professional Patrick Cantlay. Their partnership is currently underway at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2024 in California, where Cantlay’s impressive performance on Day 1 secured him a solo second-place finish, shooting 8-under 64.
As LaCava embarks on a new chapter in his caddying career, it appears that tournament golf may be a thing of the past for Tiger Woods. If this is indeed the case, LaCava expresses gratitude for the memorable moments shared with Woods and acknowledges the emotional journey they have experienced together.