Tiger Woods Gets a New Caddie: Who is Joe LaCava?

After the much-publicized break up with long-time caddie Steve Williams, embattled golf star Tiger Woods has finally found a full-time replacement.

Joe LaCava will now serve as Woods's right-hand man, as he attempts to regain the form that made him one of the greatest golf pros in the history of the game.

But who is LaCava?

A long-time caddie for Fred Couples, LaCava became Dustin Johnson's caddie over the summer. Johnson is considered one of the top up-and-coming American golfers on the Tour, and LaCava decided to move on to Johnson when Couples's health reduced his playing schedule.

LaCava reportedly approached Woods and his agent, Mark Steinberg, about the caddie job.

I'm excited to be working with Tiger, said LaCava, on Tigerwoods.com. I contacted Tiger and Mark because this is a unique opportunity to be part of something very special. Tiger and I have been friends for a very long time, and I know what he can do.

LaCava's first tournament as Woods's caddie will be the Frys.com Open which takes place on October 6, 2011, in San Martin, California.

Joe is an outstanding caddie, and I have known him for many years, said Woods, on his personal Web site. I've personally seen the great job he did for Freddie [Couples]. I'm anxious for us to be working together.

Woods hasn't won a tournament since November 2009, and didn't qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs this year. He has spent months rehabbing from a knee injury he suffered at the 2011 Masters, and plays a limited schedule even when fully healthy.

Woods had previous used long-time friend Byron Bell as his fill-in replacement for Williams, who had been with Woods for 13 years.