With 15 Major wins and a record-equalling 82 victories on the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods has shared that huge success with just a small number of caddies in a professional career that now stretches well over over a quarter of a century.
But, since February 2024's Genesis Invitational, Woods has employed experienced and successful looper Lance Bennett on the bag.
So, what are his credentials? Well, Bennett started as a PGA Tour caddie in 2003 and has caddied for some of the biggest names in professional golf, including Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Julie Inkster, Bill Haas, Paula Creamer and Sungjae Im.
Notably, he was at Kuchar's side during a particularly successful spell of his career, which included three Ryder Cup appearances and the American's 2012 Players Championship victory, a feat he described as one of his greatest memories.
Since then, Bennett has worked with Korean powerhouse Im and American PGA Tour pro, Davis Riley, while Bennett's caddie resume has also featured time with Lorena Ochoa.
Finally, before teaming up with Woods, Bennett had been working for Belgian PGA Tour player, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, who shares the same Excel Sports agency as Woods.
The Prince George, Virginia-native didn't play college golf, but that's not to say he's not useful on the course. On the contrary, per a Caddie Network interview in 2018, which revealed at that point he had even achieved two aces.
In the same interview, Bennett referenced his competitive nature, and that's a trait Woods has by the bucketload, so it will be intriguing to see how that plays out as the pair accumulate tournaments.
Before the Genesis Invitational, where Woods was forced to withdraw during the second round due to illness, the 15-time Major winner had this to say about Bennett: “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.
“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.”
The Pre-Lance Bennett Era
Woods' full-time caddie had been Mike "Fluff" Cowan, who he worked with between 1996 and 1999, including his maiden Major title, when he stormed to victory at the 1997 Masters.
Following his time with 'Fluff', Woods also had his friend Bryon Bell on the bag for one tournament, and it proved a short but extremely sweet link-up as he won the 1999 Buick Invitational.
After that, Woods headed into what became the most successful segment his career. with New Zealander Steve Williams at his side in a relationship that lasted for almost 13 years and 13 Major titles, as well as most of his time as World No.1, before an acrimonious split brought the curtain down on the partnership in 2011.
Woods then teamed up with Joe LaCava. By that point, the great was closer to 40 than 30 and an apparently endless list of injuries was taking its inevitable toll, although he still had his fair share of success with LaCava on his bag.
Despite Woods' regular injury problems, LaCava stuck by his man through the years and he was rewarded as Woods claimed his most memorable win in the era - his 15th Major at the 2019 edition of The Masters for his fifth Green Jacket.
That relationship continued until 2023, when Woods and LaCava split following The Masters and the Connecticut man went on to link up with Patrick Cantlay.
For Woods, much of the time since that famous 2019 Major victory has been consumed by a long and frustrating spell on the sidelines. However, by November 2023, he was deep into preparations for yet another comeback at the Hero World Challenge.
Woods had his business partner Rob McNamara caddying for him in that tournament, but it was never likely to be a long-term fix and, after having daughter Sam caddie for him at the PNC Championship, by the following February's Genesis Invitational, he'd settled on Bennett, with their next competitive outing coming at The Masters and the promise of further Major appearances later in the year.
Tiger Woods' Caddies Through His Career
- 1996-1999 - Mike "Fluff" Cowan
- 1999 (Buick Invitational) - Bryon Bell
- 1999-2011 - Steve Williams
- 2011-2023 - Joe LaCava
- 2023 (Hero World Challenge) - Rob McNamara
- 2023 (PNC Championship) - Sam Woods
- 2024 - Lance Bennett
Who Is Lance Bennett?
Bennett started as a PGA Tour caddie in 2003 and has carried the bag for some huge names in professional golf - including Bill Haas, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Julie Inkster, and Sungjae Im. He was at Kuchar's side during three Ryder Cups and the American's 2012 Players Championship victory as well.
Bennett never played college golf but has managed to record two Aces in his life, according to an interview with The Caddie Network in 2018. In recent months, Bennett had begun working for Belgian PGA Tour player, Adrien Dumont de Chassart.
Who Has Caddied For Tiger Woods?
Tiger Woods began his professional career with Mike 'Fluff' Cowan. After parting ways, Woods turned to his friend Bryon Bell for the 1999 Buick Invitational, which he won.
Woods then enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Steve Williams, including 13 Major titles, before moving on to Joe LaCava, the highlight of which was Woods' win at the 2019 Masters.
Ahead of the 2023 Hero World Challenge, Woods revealed he would have long-term right-hand man Rob McNamara on the bag for the tournament. Following a brief stint with daughter Sam Woods as his looper for the PNC Championship, Tiger employed Lance Bennett for the 2024 Genesis Invitational.
