Tiger Woods is NOT distracted by ex-girlfriend Erica Herman’s lawsuit at this week’s Masters, insists his caddie Joe LaCava – but says the five-time Augusta champion is ‘banged up’ and wouldn’t play if it was anywhere else
Tiger Woods will be able to ignore any distractions surrounding his split from Erica Herman as he tries this week to pull off the nearly-impossible once again and win a sixth Masters title.
That’s according to one of the men in the game who knows him best – his caddie, Joe LaCava, who has carried Woods’s bag for almost 12 years.
Woods has headed to Augusta for the first Major of the golfing calendar with personal issues surrounding him once again.
Ex-girlfriend Herman has alleged sexual abuse in a lawsuit to void an NDA in a $30million lawsuit against the golfer – accusations Woods has denied – and also claims he tricked her into leaving the Florida mansion they lived in together for six years following their breakup in October.
But LaCava has no concerns over Woods being focused at Augusta.
Joe LaCava – caddie for Tiger Woods – has no doubts about his mindset at Augusta this week
Woods is subject of a lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend Erica Herman after their recent split
But Woods is in Augusta this week, battling to win an unlikely sixth green jacket
‘Being in the spotlight you’re always going to get punches thrown at you,’ he told the New York Post.
‘I think Tiger’s been through so many different things in the public eye — good, bad or indifferent — that I’m not saying you get used to it, it bothers you regardless. But I think he’s got the mindset that he’s able to deal with (the Herman case) even though it’s in the public, and still do what he has to on the golf course and at home with his family.
‘Tiger’s still well received. We played a practice round Monday morning and there were still a million people out there and they were going crazy for him. There might be one or two guys who are less of a fan, but the majority still love the guy.’
In fact, LaCava admits that Woods’s overall physical condition worries him more when it comes to success at one of the world’s most grueling courses.
Woods has plantar fasciitis in his right foot and was involved in a brutal car accident in February 2021 that shattered his right leg. Over two years later, LaCava says Woods is still struggling badly.
‘He’s pretty banged up,’ LaCava said. ‘If it wasn’t Augusta he probably wouldn’t be playing.
‘He still has the power, the swing speed, the shots and the length to contend. The injury is devastating, but if he could take a cart he could contend tomorrow.’
Woods begins round one at 10:12am EDT on Thursday alongside Norway’s Viktor Hovland and fellow American Xander Schauffele.
Woods has won five Masters titles in his career – the most recent being back in 2019
Woods admitted earlier on Tuesday that this could be his final appearance at the Masters
LaCava admitted that Woods is not in the best physical condition ahead of the tournament
Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Woods hinted there is a chance that this year could be his final appearance at The Masters.
‘I don’t know how many more I have in me,’ he said. ‘I’m very lucky to have the leg.
‘Mobility and endurance – going forward it will never be the same. I can’t prepare and play as many tournaments as I’d like but that’s ok and I’m ok with it.
‘To be able to come here and play at Augusta National, it’s such a special place. It means so much to me in my heart to be able to play this golf course.
‘Just to appreciate the memories I’ve had here, whether it’s in competition, practice rounds – so much of my life has been here at Augusta National.’
