5:51 PM
Joe LaCava decided to get to Florida a few days early because he wasn't sure how this week would play out. The caddie for Tiger Woods wanted to get out of the house after a year of virtual inactiveness. It made sense to play golf with his son and get some sun.
For the first time in a year, LaCava was inside the ropes with Woods and felt at home. This past weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, he knows there might be fleeting moments.
He joked that he would like to do this more than once a year.
The sad reality is that the next time he and Woods are together, it could be awhile. The reality is that Woods is not close to being ready to compete in a tour event.
One of the basic concepts associated with the game is walking, and it will take some time. Woods knows it. Even though he was happy to see so many smiles and good shots, LaCava can see that the Sunday effort was far more competitive than anyone thought it would be.
LaCava said he was a little pleasantly surprised. A lot of quality shots. The game is short. Good touch. Good control on distance on shots over 70 yards.
He's in a lot of pain. He's not even close to being able to play golf at that level. Not all bad in terms of golf. He doesn't have the strength yet. On Saturday, JT was hitting it 30 yards past him at times. I think that will happen when he gets some of his strength back.
While Woods was recovering from his injuries, LaCava was able to play a few times. LaCava was a caddie for Fred Couples on the PGA Tour. He was an emergency replacement caddie. The only FedEx Cup playoff event that the player of the year did not win is at this one.
It was his 11th year caddying for Woods, and he was supposed to be gone for the fall of 2011. "It's Tiger Woods,'' LaCava said, when asked why he left Johnson for Woods.
It's hard to imagine anyone being more loyal. LaCava did so despite overtures from other players who would have allowed him to return to the arena he loves, despite the fact that Woods has a lot of people in his camp who have stood by him through tough times.
He took on those jobs this summer to keep busy. There was no attempt to move on from Woods.
LaCava stood by as Woods missed time. He made a triumphant return through the year, then had another limited schedule in 2020 because of the Pandemic and Woods' own back issues, which led to another procedure a year ago.
Play.
Charlie Woods hit a great drive in the championship and then mimicked his dad with a club after.
Everyone was waiting to see what was next after that procedure. Any golf talk was meaningless after the Feb. 23 car crash. It is remarkable that Woods competed in a limited capacity this weekend.
LaCava said he spent a week with Woods in Florida in April and July. The idea was to provide support and friendship. At the time of the April visit, Woods was more or less immobile.
The leap to this point has been huge.
"He's not that far away in terms of hitting shots and all that stuff,'' said Thomas, who played with Woods at home and during the first round here on Saturday. "But in terms of being able to compete and walk 72 holes multiple weeks in a row, yeah, that's a different story and he's the only one who can answer that.''
Woods said that he is not close. How close will be a mystery. After the final round, Woods said that there was a lot of work to be done.
The legend who has played in this tournament for 25 years held an impromptu practice session with Tiger and Charlie after Friday's pro-am and seemed to suggest he gleaned some insights from Tiger.
"I know when he's going to play and when he's not.'' He already told me about it. We are good friends. I've known him since he was 8 years old. Thank you very much. I know what he's going through. I've gone through some operations. He'll beat it if you give him a time limit.
Play.
The eagle was hit on the third hole by Charlie Woods.
The conjecture will be constant.
When will Tiger come back? Will he post a video of his swing on his website? Is the Masters too soon?
Nick Faldo, three-time Masters winner, said that Augusta is the toughest walk of the year. You get shin splints, and that's being fit.
The Masters is the ultimate reach because Woods is far from that. The summer is a better guess, but it could be difficult. The true issues in moving forward are not being disclosed. He has been prone to do this in the past and it might not just be a matter of him working harder.
It is not possible to walk an 18-hole round yet. Where does walking 72 holes fit in? It would be required during a normal week with practice. Is it possible to hit the shots for five hours at a time?
This might take a while. It is necessary to be patient.
It could take 18 months from the time of the accident until Woods is ready, according to LaCava. He will be in August. Who knows?
LaCava knows that Woods didn't hit a shot before the pro-am. He didn't watch any of the video of Woods practicing in the Bahamas or the speculation about how fast or slow he would return.
He knew that Tiger was going to the event with his son. LaCava was on the plane to see what happened.
LaCava said that he gets a lot more positive energy than he does negative energy. I don't know if he's smiling for me. I would like to think he's that way most of the time. He's been positive throughout the process.
On Sunday, Woods looked happy. He and Charlie provided a spirited effort. While he was in a cart most of the weekend, he was able to walk the remaining 200 yards to the final green.
This week was the true victory.
When we see him in this setting next, he will likely be into the future. As always, LaCava will be waiting.
