Did Tiger Really Owe Dustin A Phone Call Over Joey?
/It all sounds like an episode of Glee gone bad.
Seriously, I'm having a hard time putting a finger on why I find all of the talk about Tiger "poaching" Joe LaCava from Dustin Johnson a bit melodramatic.
Rex Hoggard talks to some people about the proper etiquette for pro golfers and bag handlers, and the consensus is that Tiger owed Dustin Johnson a phone call. Why, I'm not sure.
According to sources familiar with the situation LaCava did “reach out” to Woods but only after he learned he was being considered. More importantly, Woods did not contact Johnson before he began “substantive talks” with LaCava. There is no rulebook on caddie swapping, but as a general guide it is customary for a player in Woods’ position to approach Johnson about the possibility.
“My guess is Tiger just asked Joe with (Fred Couples’) input or help. In the end, caddies and players have to do what’s best for themselves,” said one Tour player. “Sometimes feelings get hurt. But I do think out of respect for a top player in the game Tiger should have given DJ a call.”
And this probably should go in the file, "PGA Tour people think what they do is more important than it really is" files...
But the consensus across Tour lines was rather clear on this front. This isn’t about asking for permission, this is about common courtesy and a gentleman’s game.
This is big business, these are pro athletes and stuff happens. This isn't choir practice. LaCava and Johnson had been together for what, six or seven events? The Pond Scrummers Huggan and Elling seem to agree:
Huggan: This is such a non-story. Caddies don't make that much difference. Joe is a lovely guy and a good caddie. But really, almost anyone with half a brain could have been carrying Tiger's bag over the last 15 years and he would still have 14 majors.
Elling: Caddies get poached all the time, but rarely from top-10 players, as is the case with Johnson, who won with LaCava four weeks ago. Once again, no matter how it was planned, it all leaked out prematurely, caused a stir when the Solheim and FedEx cups were being played, and made pretty much everybody involved look bad.