Fred Couples once got so angry with Tiger Woods‘ former caddie Joe LaCava that he could only laugh.
Former Masters champion Couples told the tale ahead of this week’s PGA Tour Champions event.
What happened transpired at the 1992 Westchester Classic in New York where Couples was in contention down the stretch.
They were on the 72nd hole and, according to Couples, he ‘pounded’ his drive down the left side of the fairway.
He had approximately 200 yards to the pin into the par-5 and it was downwind.
They discussed the club of choice and Couples wanted to hit a 6-iron.
LaCava disagreed, he said, and implored him to hit one less.
“But I’m in the rough,” Couples said.
“205 [yards] I like six [iron], Joe likes seven [iron].
“I like six, Joe likes seven. I go with seven. Pound it, not enough.”
Rory McIlroy and Joe LaCava at the 2023 Ryder Cup
Couples said he tossed his club next to his bag in disgust, making LaCava fully aware that it was the wrong choice.
“I go play the hole [and] make par,” Couples added.
“[The next week] we fly all the way across to Pebble Beach.
“I get on the range Tuesday for a practice round and going through my clubs there’s no 7-iron.
“[I say to Joe], ‘What’s going on? Where’s my 7-iron?'”
The reply from LaCava?
“It’s back on the 18th fairway where you left it.”
Couples continued: “I lost it. I don’t know if I laughed at first or if I was livid, but I lost it on him.
“Then I had to laugh because, you know, I threw it down [and] that’s that story.
“Six, seven. I went with the professional caddie. I probably toed it and didn’t hit it solid from 200 yards but I threw it kind of at his feet actually.
“And then, you know, two days later, ‘Where’s my 7-iron?’
“Right where you left it. It’s a good story. There’s a lot of them.”
We can’t wait to hear the next one.
Watch Couples tell the tale here:
LaCava now works for Patrick Cantlay.
Woods and LaCava split amicably in May last year having been together since 2011.
Woods has had a number of caddies since.
Rob McNamara, the vice president of TGR Ventures, was on the bag for a stint.
His daughter Samantha also carried his clubs during the PNC Championship.
Veteran PGA Tour looper Lance Bennett is Woods’ latest caddie.
