Woods hires LaCava as caddie

ATLANTA, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods said he hired Joe LaCava, who recently carried the bag of Dustin Johnson and previously worked for Fred Couples, as his caddie.

Woods issued a statement on his Web site late Sunday, saying his first event with LaCava would be the Frys.com Open on Oct. 6-9.

"This was an important decision, and I wanted to think about it carefully," Woods said. "Also, out of deference for the FedExCup Playoffs, I decided to wait until they were concluding to have substantive talks. We then spoke to Joe and came to an agreement."

LaCava was actually working Sunday when Johnson finished tied for 23rd at the Tour Championship. He was also on the bag when Johnson won The Barclays.

Woods said he spoke with both Johnson and Couples, who worked with LaCava until this summer when Couples was forced to cut back on his schedule.

Woods fired longtime caddie Steve Williams, who had carried Woods' bags for nearly 13 years, this summer. Williams has gone to work for Adam Scott.