Tiger Woods had a special guest on hand Wednesday night, watching Tiger’s Hall Of Fame induction and that guest was all smiles.
It was Joe LaCava, Tiger’s friend and caddie.
Joe’s been on the sidelines as Woods is in recovery/rehab mode, trying to work toward that day when he might return to actual Tour-level competition.
Joe’s been waiting patiently. He’s had calls from other Tour players to see if he would like to work while Tiger recovers and the answer is always the same.
Joe politely declines. He’s waiting for his man.
“He takes it one day at a time, but he’s certainly hoping to get back. He loves to do this more than anything, like all the guys,” LaCava said. “And same thing I tell people, listen, I said, ‘How many times can this guy work his butt off?’
“When I say work his butt off, not just chipping and putting in the backyard and hitting balls. I mean, he’s gotta work his butt off every single day rehabbing and stuff like that in order to get back and be able to walk and be able to walk a golf course, then obviously try to play at that level. So I think he’s willing to give it one more hard go on, you know, the work that he’s gotta put into it.”
LaCava was verifying what Tiger has preached to the listeners.
“I think it’s gonna be even more work than it was coming back from the fusion surgery with the back and stuff like that,” LaCava continued. “But I think he’s willing, at this age, to do it. And, like you said, maybe that father-son tournament gave him a little more motivation because, as most people saw if they watched it he hasn’t lost much in the golf. He may not be quite as long as he once was but he can still hit the ball and still can putt and chip. So, I mean, if he can get around a golf course, he could still be dangerous, if that happens.”
Sounds like Joe believes his man has some gas in the reserve tank.
But first things first. Joe was simply thrilled to be on hand at Tiger’s HOF induction.
“I realize that I’m a tail-end guy, but I also feel like I’m a part of his career,” LaCava said. “So I’m psyched that he asked me and my wife to come down and be a part of it. That’s the kind of person he is. Just the greatest player to ever play the game getting inducted tonight.”
Hataoka, Oh, Set Torrid Pace In Thailand:
Nasa Hataoka and Sue Oh are about as hot as the weather in Thailand.
The Japanese star and the Aussie are tied at the top at the LPGA Honda after 36 holes at the Siam Country Club outside Bankok.
Both have rounds of 63-65 in the books as the temperatures have been in the “sweltering” range.
Celine Boutier (65-64) and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (65-64) were a shot back at 15-under.
Closest American to the leaders is Jennifer Kupcho (65-67) at 12-under par.
