Who is Tiger Woods’ caddie? What to know about Lance Bennett, the man on the bag for five-time Masters champ

For the first Masters tournament in over a decade, Tiger Woods won’t have Joe LaCava as his caddy.

The five-time Masters champion and his longtime bag partner elected to part ways in 2023. With Woods’ health decreasing his frequency of participating in tournaments, LaCava and him split, resulting in the caddy joining Patrick Cantlay.

Woods makes his return to Augusta National this weekend after failing to finish out the weekend in 2023. The 48-year-old made the cut at last year’s Masters but was forced to withdraw. Soon after, it was announced that he was undergoing ankle surgery.

(Getty Images)

It’s been a long road to recovery since. Woods has played sparingly over the past 12 months, and his appearance at the Masters this week marks just his second PGA Tour event on the season. He previously played at the Genesis Invitational, but he also was forced out of action early due to a reported illness.

Now, the five-time green jacket bearer is looking for a sixth win at Augusta, and he will have a new caddie by his side while doing so.

Here’s more to know about Woods’ caddie for the 2024 Masters.

Who is Tiger Woods’ caddie?

Woods’ caddie for the 2024 Masters Tournament is Lance Bennett. It marks just the second time that the legendary pro will have Bennett on his bag.

Bennett is no stranger to the tour scene. He has been caddying on the PGA Tour since 2003, serving with the likes of Matt Kuchar, Sungjae Im, and Davis Riley. He also has been on the bag for a number of LPGA players, such as Juli Inkster, Paula Creamer, and Lorena Ochoa.

The relationship between Woods and Bennett started in 2013 when Bennett was still with Kuchar. Woods and Kuchar played together at the Presidents Cup.

“As far as Lance is concerned, I’ve had a great relationship with him over the years going back to when he caddied for [Matt Kuchar] and when we played at the Presidents Cup together back in, what, Muirfield Village,” Woods said before the Genesis Invitational.

“Very down to earth, very loyal, and how he conversated through the years, I’ve also taken notice of that. We’ve had the same type of feels in how we look at the golf course and how we read putts. They’re very similar.”

Tiger Woods caddie history

Woods has had three full-time caddies during his illustrious career, along with a number of occasional fill-ins. It’s unclear how long Bennett is expected to be caddying for the 15-time major champion.

Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan

Woods’ first caddie when he turned pro was. Mike “Fluff” Cowan. The two started working together in 1996 when Woods was just 20. Together, the pair secured seven PGA Tour victories, including the 1997 Masters Tournament where Woods made history by becoming the youngest player to win the green jacket. It led to Woods’ ascent to the World No. 1 spot.

Steve Williams

In 1999, Woods elected to part ways with Cowan and bring on Steve Williams. The move was the right one, as the duo ripped off 63 PGA Tour wins and 13 major tournament victories, including three US Opens. Their partnership lasted for 12 years until 2011 when Woods parted ways with Williams.

Joe LaCava

Joe LaCava took over Woods’ side in 2011 as his third full-time caddie. The legendary caddie helped Woods find his form again, totaling 11 PGA Tour titles. LaCava was on the bag with Woods at the 2019 Master where Woods’ tied the all-time PGA Tour record in wins with 82.  The relationship went on for 12 years before the recent split.