Tiger Woods doesn't just hire a caddy. He hires a partner, a psychologist, and a human yardage book. For a guy who has spent most of his life under a microscope, the person standing next to him on the fairway is the only one who truly knows what’s going on in his head before a high-stakes 6-iron.
Lately, though, the question of who is the caddy for Tiger Woods has become a bit of a moving target.
If you tuned into the Genesis Invitational or the Masters recently, you saw a new face. Lance Bennett. He’s the veteran who took over the bag after Joe LaCava—Tiger’s long-time right-hand man—moved on to work with Patrick Cantlay full-time. It was a weird moment for golf fans. Seeing Joe in Cantlay's hat felt like seeing an ex-boyfriend with a new partner at a party. But that’s the business.
Tiger’s health dictates everything now. Because he plays such a limited schedule, he can't really ask a top-tier caddy to just sit around and wait for four or five tournaments a year. They have mortgages. They have families.
The Lance Bennett Era
Lance Bennett isn't some rookie Tiger picked up at a local muni. Far from it. This guy has been around the block, most notably spending years with Matt Kuchar. He’s also looped for Sungjae Im and Davis Riley. He’s got that "player's caddy" vibe—calm, steady, and crucially, he knows how to stay out of the way while being exactly where he needs to be.
Tiger needs someone who understands the rhythm of a Major. When you're Tiger Woods, you aren't just playing golf; you're managing a circus. Bennett’s job is basically to be the eye of the hurricane.
Honestly, the chemistry seems solid. During their first few outings, you could see them chatting about more than just wind direction. But here’s the thing: Tiger’s current physical state means the caddy's job is harder than it used to be. It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about watching Tiger’s gait. It’s about knowing when he’s hurting and when to push.
Why Joe LaCava Left (It’s Not What You Think)
People love drama. When Joe LaCava started looping for Patrick Cantlay in 2023, the internet went into a tailspin. Was there a fight? Did Tiger fire him?
No.
It was actually pretty respectful. Tiger basically told Joe that he wouldn't be playing enough to keep Joe busy. Imagine being one of the best in the world at your job, but your boss only goes into the office three days a year. You’d get bored. You’d lose money.
✨ Don't miss: Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart: Why the Roster Flip is More Than Just Kyler Murray
Joe asked for Tiger’s "blessing," and Tiger gave it. It was a business decision wrapped in a decade of friendship. Joe was there for the 2019 Masters—the comeback that made grown men cry. That kind of bond doesn't just evaporate because of a different colored bib.
The Legend of Steve Williams
You can't talk about the caddy for Tiger Woods without talking about Steve Williams. If Joe was the steady friend, Steve was the bodyguard.
From 1999 to 2011, they were the most dominant duo in sports history. Period. Stevie was aggressive. He’d jump into crowds to grab cameras from fans who took pictures during Tiger’s backswing. He was intense, sometimes more than Tiger.
They won 13 Majors together. 13!
But the ending was messy. When Tiger went through his public scandal and subsequent injury woes, the relationship soured. Steve eventually moved on to Adam Scott, and when they won the Bridgestone Invitational, Steve called it the "best win of his career." That... didn't sit well with the Tiger camp. It felt like a jab.
They’ve softened a bit since then, but that era remains a blueprint for how a caddy can become a celebrity in their own right just by standing in Tiger's shadow.
More Than Just Carrying a Bag
What does a caddy actually do for a guy like Tiger?
First, there’s the "number." Tiger is obsessed with launch angles, spin rates, and descent angles. If the yardage is 164, he’s not just hitting a 164-yard shot. He’s hitting a 161-yard shot that needs to land soft because the green slopes 3% to the left.
The caddy has to verify that. If the caddy says 165 and it’s 162, and Tiger flies the green, the trust is broken.
🔗 Read more: Anthony Davis USC Running Back: Why the Notre Dame Killer Still Matters
Then there’s the wind. At Augusta, the wind doesn't just blow; it swirls. It hits the trees and bounces back. A caddy for Tiger Woods has to be a meteorologist.
But the most underrated part? The "stop sign."
Sometimes Tiger gets aggressive. He wants to go for a pin that’s tucked behind a bunker near water. A great caddy like LaCava or Bennett has to be able to say, "Hey, let's just put this in the middle of the green and take our par." Most people are too intimidated to tell Tiger Woods "no." The caddy is the only one who can.
The Charlie Woods Factor
Recently, we’ve seen a different caddy for Tiger Woods: his son, Charlie.
During the PNC Championship, Tiger isn't looking for a professional yardage expert. He’s being a dad. But interestingly, we’ve seen Tiger caddy for Charlie, too.
Watching Tiger Woods—the greatest of all time—humping a heavy bag around a junior tournament in the Florida heat tells you everything you need to know about his respect for the craft. He’s been on both sides of the strap now.
The Physical Toll of the Job
Let’s be real: Tiger is 48 with a fused ankle and a back that’s seen more surgeries than a textbook.
When you’re the caddy for Tiger Woods today, you’re also a scout. You’re looking at the walk from the 12th green to the 13th tee at Augusta and figuring out the easiest path for him to take so he doesn't wear out his leg.
You’re managing his energy.
💡 You might also like: AC Milan vs Bologna: Why This Matchup Always Ruins the Script
If Tiger is struggling to post a 74, the caddy’s job shifts from "win a trophy" to "get him through the round." It’s a somber shift, but it’s the reality of modern Tiger.
Fluff: The First Major Partner
Before Stevie, there was Mike "Fluff" Cowan. The mustache. The relaxed attitude.
Fluff was there for the 1997 Masters. He was the one who saw the 21-year-old phenom dismantle the world. But Fluff became a bit too much of a celebrity himself. He was doing commercials and interviews, and Tiger—always a fan of privacy and "the work"—decided it was time for a change.
It showed early on that if you work for Tiger, there is one sun in that solar system. You are a planet. Don't try to be the sun.
What’s Next?
Will Lance Bennett stay on the bag forever? Probably not.
Tiger’s career is in its "Greatest Hits" phase. He plays the Masters, maybe the Open, maybe the U.S. Open if the course isn't too hilly.
Lance is a great fit because he’s a true professional who can jump in and out. But the caddy for Tiger Woods will always be one of the most scrutinized jobs in sports. Every time Tiger looks at a yardage book and mumbles something, the cameras zoom in. They want to know the secret sauce.
The truth is, there is no secret. It’s just two guys trying to solve a puzzle while millions of people watch.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans
If you're following Tiger's career or trying to learn from how he interacts with his caddies, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Pre-Shot Routine: Notice how Tiger and Lance Bennett settle on a number. They don't just agree; they "commit." Never hit a shot until you've committed to the number.
- The "Stay in the Moment" Rule: Tiger’s caddies are trained to keep him from looking too far ahead. Whether you're playing for a jacket or a $5 bet, focus on the 18 inches in front of your ball.
- Respect the "Loop": If you ever use a caddy, remember that they see the course from a different angle. Trust their eyes over your own ego.
- Track the Schedule: To see who is currently on the bag, watch the entry lists for the "Signature Events" on the PGA Tour. If Tiger is in, the caddy news usually breaks 48 hours before the first round.
Tiger's bag isn't just a piece of equipment; it's a piece of history. Whether it’s Fluff, Stevie, Joe, or Lance, the man carrying it has the best seat in the house for the greatest show in golf.