ATLANTA // Tiger Woods has hired Joe LaCava to be his third full-time caddie.
LaCava decided to leave Dustin Johnson, one of the most talented young American golfers, to go to work for the former world No 1 who has not won in the last two years.
"Joe LaCava is an outstanding caddie and I have known him since I was an amateur, really looking forward to having him on the bag," Woods posted on his Twitter account last night.
David Winkle, Johnson's agent at Hambric Sports Management, confirmed LaCava was going to work for Woods and a search for a new caddie would begin immediately.
"Needless to say, Dustin and I were completely surprised, as they have enjoyed a great relationship and have been very successful together," Winkle said. "Nonetheless, we think highly of Joe, both as a caddie and a person, which is why he was hired in the first place. We wish him nothing but the best with his new employer."
LaCava was the longtime caddie for Fred Couples, a relationship that ended in the summer because Johnson was looking for a caddie and Couples' playing schedule was being reduced because of his health.
Swing coach Butch Harmon recommended LaCava to Johnson, and said last night he was "shocked" by the change.
"The thing that bothered me the most was TW not calling Dustin and asking if he could talk to Joe," said Harmon, who used to work with Woods. "That's the way it's done. I'm a little disappointed with the way Tiger handled it. But I'm not surprised."
Woods fired Steve Williams after nearly 13 years this summer after Williams worked for Adam Scott while Woods was recovering from a knee injury. One person said LaCava informed Johnson of his decision after the final round of the Tour Championship.
LaCava was flying home and could not be immediately reached. Johnson left for a corporate photo shoot in Georgia, and then was headed for Scotland for the Dunhill Links Championship.
LaCava waited for him at his courtesy car to load up his clubs, and their farewell in the car park was routine. Johnson had planned to take a couple of friends to Scotland to caddie for him and his brother, Austin, his amateur partner.
Johnson won The Barclays last month with LaCava on the bag, and the news was a surprise. However, LaCava has two children, ages 12 and 14, and as long as he has been a caddie, wants to be spending more time at home. Johnson also is leaning toward taking up European Tour membership next year, which would mean about four additional tournaments overseas.
Woods, even when fully healthy, plays a limited schedule.
The question is whether Woods can make this a profitable move for LaCava. Woods has not won in more than two years on the PGA Tour, and he did not qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs this year, mainly because he missed nearly four months with an injury.
Woods has said his left leg is stronger than it has been in years. Woods next plays at the Frys.com Open in two weeks at CordeValle, about an hour south of San Francisco, California.
Woods also is playing the Australian Open and the Presidents Cup, a competition that will feature all of his caddies — Mike Cowan (now with Jim Furyk) and Williams, who works for Scott.
