Tiger Woods Hires Veteran Caddie Joe LaCava

It's official now, Tiger Woods has a new caddie. Just a few weeks before his imminent return, the former World's No. 1 has hired veteran caddie Joe LaCava to be on his bag. 

Woods had been looking for a replacement since his widely publicized split with his longtime caddie, Steve Williams, this past July. Williams has been on the bag of his fellow countryman Adam Scott since.

LaCava was Fred Couples caddie for 20 years, and most recently he has been teaming up with Dustin Johnson, who is widely considered as one of the top young prospects in golf. 

Couple's chronic back problems led LaCava, to more recently, start carrying Johnson's bag. 

"Joe is an outstanding caddie, and I have known him for many years. I've personally seen the great job he did for Freddie [Couples]. I'm anxious for us to be working together." Woods said on his website.

For his part, LaCava says he is "eager to work with Tiger." "Tiger and I are friends for a long time and know what we can achieve together."

According to a statement published on ESPN's article, there seems to be a bit of a controversy brewing as to how Woods approached LaCava.

Butch Harmon (who recommended LaCava to Johnson) has said that he was shocked by the change, and because Woods did not contact Johnson prior hiring LaCava.

On his website, Woods has said he called Johnson, after LaCava had informed Johnson of his move, and that he also informed Couples of this move.

Apparently this has not settled well with Harmon who says Woods should have called Johnson before hiring LaCava.

There is another piece of controversy surrounding a Tiger Woods move, that will certainly be taken flight soon in the media.

Woods, who is 35 years-old and has fallen to 49th place in the world rankings, will be playing his first tournament with LaCava at the Frys.com Open in San Martin (California) which will be starting this next October 6.

Woods played his last official round of golf on August 12 when he failed to make the cut at the year's final major, the PGA Championship.

With this he has come full circle in revamping his working team, all that is left for him now is to show that he can get back to being his old self.

- Carlos Torres