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Tiger Woods may be down, but his former right-hand man doesn’t believe he’s out.
Joe LaCava was Woods’ caddy when he broke his 11-year major drought and miraculously won the 2019 Masters, his first green jacket since 2005.
Woods is now 50, and in recent times his performances on the course have been forgettable.
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Tiger Woods celebrates with caddy Joe LaCava on the 18th green after winning the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 14, 2019. (David Cannon/Getty Images)
But LaCava, now on Patrick Cantlay’s bag, isn’t putting “anything” past the 15-time major champion, who certainly has a flair for the dramatic.
“He’s got something in him and he’s proven it. But yeah, that’s the hope for me. He’s done everything, hasn’t he?” LaCava told The Athletic when asked if he could one day fight again at Augusta.
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“He’ll be 50-plus, I get that. But I wouldn’t put anything past the guy. So I would never write him off.”
LaCava said he has not reached out to Woods since his DUI arrest, instead “leaving him alone and letting him figure it out for himself.”
“He’s got to help himself, which I hope he will. But I haven’t made any contact with him…” LaCava said.
Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Jason Oteri/AP)
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“He’s got enough people probably texting him and chasing him, right? I don’t need to bother him. I care about him a lot. I’m not bothered by him. He knows that. He knows I care about him a lot. He’s got enough things going on, so I’m sure we’ll communicate when he has any access to his phone at home. I don’t have access to his phone.”
In 14 majors since his last victory, he has failed to muster a top 20 finish. It is his longest streak since he did not finish in the top 20 in the first six majors of his career in 1995 and 1996. In his last 26 majors, he has only four top 20 finishes.
Since finishing tied for ninth at the 2020 Farmers Insurance Open, his best finish in his 18 official events since then has been a tie for 37th at the 2020 PGA Championship.
He has not competed since 2024, competing in just five events – the Genesis Invitational and the four majors. He withdrew from Genesis, finished dead last in the Masters and missed the cut in the other majors.
Tiger Woods celebrates during the trophy presentation after winning the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Allen Eyestone/The Augusta Chronicle Syndication: Palm Beach Post)
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Woods ruptured his Achilles last year just before the Masters, returning from the injury at the Golf League Championship just four days before his arrest.
