Tiger Woods is set to tee off at the Genesis Invitational this week, marking his first competitive start of 2024. However, with his regular caddie, Joe LaCava, now committed to Patrick Cantlay, Woods had to enlist the services of veteran caddie Lance Bennett for this tournament at Riviera, according to Golfweek.
Bennett, renowned for his tenure with Matt Kuchar, notably aiding Kuchar’s victory at the Players Championship in 2012, boasts a rich history of working with top-tier players.
His experience extends to guiding the likes of Sungjae Im, Davis Riley, Julie Inkster, Paula Creamer, and Lorena Ochoa. Currently, Bennett is on the bag for PGA Tour rookie Adrien Dumont de Chassart, who shares management with Woods, facilitating the decision to have Bennett accompany Woods at Riviera.
While it remains uncertain whether Bennett will continue to caddie for Woods beyond this event, speculation lingers about Woods possibly collaborating with different caddies in the future.
In recent outings, Woods improvised, with his longtime business partner Rob McNamara stepping in at the Hero World Challenge and his daughter Sam assisting him at the PNC Championship. Woods even entertained the idea of his son Charlie potentially taking up caddying duties down the line.
This tournament marks Woods’ return to PGA Tour action since the previous year’s Masters Championship. While he hinted at the prospect of playing more frequently in 2024, contingent upon his health and the condition of his leg, his actual schedule remains subject to these factors.
Savannah Leigh Richardson, a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through, provides comprehensive golf coverage. For updates and insights, follow @_PlayingThrough on major social platforms, as well as Richardson’s personal accounts on Twitter (@SportsGirlSL) and Instagram (@savannah_leigh_sports).
