Tiger Woods debuts surprising new caddie at PNC Championship

When Tiger Woods was requested about his son Charlie’s prospects of changing into his new caddie in 2024, he was requested in regards to the incorrect Woods baby.

On Saturday for the primary spherical of the PNC Championship, Woods unveiled the best-kept secret in golf: his 16-year-old daughter Sam can be caddying for him on this week.

Woods has been available in the market for a new looper since his return to competitors earlier this fall. Longtime looper Joe LaCava took over the bag of Patrick Cantlay after Woods’ ankle surgical procedure final spring.

Longtime Woods confidante Rob McNamara carried the bag at the Hero World Challenge two weeks in the past and even Friday throughout the pro-am, but it surely seems Team Woods wished to make this weekend much more of a household affair.

This isn’t the primary time Sam has shared the massive stage along with her father. The eldest Woods baby launched her 15-time major-winning father at his World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony in March 2022.

However, till then, we had solely caught glimpses of Sam watching her dad at PGA Tour occasions and majors. Just earlier than her first birthday, Tiger launched Sam to the world after he gained the 2008 U.S. Open, carrying her round in celebration after successful his first main as a father.

Charlie Woods additionally has a new caddie this week as Joe LaCava’s son, Joe LaCava Jr., had been the looper of selection for the youngest Woods in his three earlier PNC Championship appearances. However, this yr, Charlie’s highschool teammate Luke Wise is on the bag. Charlie and Luke helped the Benjamin School to a Florida state championship final month.

Sam has made appearances at the PNC earlier than, doing so along with her mother and Tiger’s ex-wife Elin in 2020 for Team Woods’ first try at the parent-child occasion. Tiger and Charlie also sent Elin a congratulatory message from the 1st tee of the PNC final yr after she had a child simply earlier than the occasion.

This week, Tiger has traded in his normal employees bag for a slimmed-down, stand-bag model. However, with inclement climate anticipated to influence the opening spherical of the event, Sam has been considerably relegated to a cart driver on Saturday as the complete subject is utilizing carts.

She’s additionally not the one sister caddying this week. Steve Stricker is enjoying together with his youngest daughter Izzi Stricker this week, whereas his oldest daughter Bobbi caddies for him. Bobbi is unable to play the occasion as she chases knowledgeable profession on the Epson Tour.

Jack Hirsh

Golf.com Editor

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, incomes levels in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his highschool golf group and not too long ago returned to this system to function head coach. Jack additionally nonetheless *tries* to stay aggressive in native amateurs. Before becoming a member of GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but additionally producing, anchoring and even presenting the climate. He may be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.