Nelly Korda has Tiger Woods’ ex-caddie, Joe LaCava, on the bag this week in New Jersey.
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CLIFTON, N.J. — Nelly Korda has a new face on the bag this week, however he’s no stranger to golf followers. He’s one of the vital revered loopers within the recreation. He’s even been within the information a bit recently.
Joe LaCava, longtime caddie for Tiger Woods and Fred Couples, is taking the week off from his new full-time gig with Patrick Cantlay to function Korda’s caddie at this week’s Founders Cup.
The want for a substitute caddie in New Jersey comes as Korda’s common bagman, Jason McDede, takes paternity depart. And with Cantlay taking the week off within the lead up to the PGA Championship, LaCava had an open week to caddie for the ladies’s world No. 1.
“I knew that [Jason] was going to be out this week on paternity leave,” Korda mentioned. “I was looking for a fill-in, and what better way to learn more and maybe even pick his brain than have one of the greats caddie for me? It was a shot in the dark, but it got done.”
With McDede and his spouse, LPGA participant Caroline Masson, anticipating in early May, Korda knew she would want a fill-in. So, her group contacted Woods’ group and inquired about the potential for LaCava working for Korda this week. In early, March, Korda obtained the affirmation that LaCava was in.
“Tiger and Nelly had a little back and forth,” LaCava instructed GOLF.com. “Nelly knew that Tiger wasn’t playing, so she said, ‘Is it ok to borrow Joe for the week?’”
Korda may be the top-ranked participant within the girls’s recreation, however LaCava is a star in his personal proper. As the duo got here off the course following a first-round 72, followers requested for autographs and footage with Woods’ longtime looper.
“It was fun,” LaCava mentioned. “Lot of Giants fans — I’m always comfortable around Giants fans.”
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Josh Berhow
Korda and LaCava appeared snug collectively, too. The duo had been in lockstep a lot of the day at Upper Montclair Country Club, making three birdies and three bogeys on the A.W. Tillinghast observe.
“He’s very precise with his numbers,” Korda mentioned. “Even though [Jason] is as well, I think every caddie is different. He’s not used to seeing girls whip out range finders, that’s for sure. Even during practice rounds he didn’t use his range finder once. He stepped everything off.”
The admiration between Korda and LaCava is mutual. When requested for the most important variations between Woods and Korda, LaCava as a substitute rattled off a record of the way they’re the identical.
“They’re bot great competitors,” LaCava mentioned. “Both tops in their sport, or Tiger was at one time. They’re kind of built the same. Both practice hard, work at it really hard. There aren’t so many differences as there are similarities.”
With Cantlay competing subsequent week within the PGA Championship, and McDede due again from paternity depart, LaCava mentioned this partnership is probably going a one-off, however each are taking advantage of the chance.
“Even if I get to pick his brain here and there throughout the week and learn one thing,” Korda mentioned. “I’ll take it into my future and better myself.”
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