Who Is Tiger Woods’ Caddie? Meet His Longtime Friend-Turned-Bagger Rob McNamara

The golf world is beaming with excitement as Tiger Woods gears up to make his comeback into the sport through the upcoming Hero World Challenge. The fans of the legend had been searching for the news regarding his return for a long time, and as soon as he made the announcement, another query popped up. Who would support the iconic golfer on the greens as he makes his glorious revival?

Although the 82X PGA Tour champ surely has the skills to clinch the title, a caddie’s role cannot be discounted on the course. And, Mr. T did not disappoint! During the press conference ahead of the much-anticipated event, the professional went ahead to disclose who would carry the bags for him at the upcoming tournament – none other than Rob McNamara!

Tiger Woods supporter on and off the greens, Rob McNamara

The 15X major champ released Joe LaCava from his caddie duties after the ankle surgery that took place following his withdrawal from the 2023 Masters. And now, the Hall of Famer has turned to his friend McNamara to assist him on the greens for this weekend.

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Known as one of Woods’ close friends and a business associate, the American graduated from Santa Clara University in California in 1997. He did so with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and majoring in the subject of Physics. However, this did not stop him from having a small career in the game of golf at the high school and collegiate level, where he met the future Hall of Famer during a junior PGA event.

However, the Science major soon found himself pursuing a career at IMG, a company aimed at pioneering both the fields of sports and culture. And, by doing so, the graduate took over the account of his soon-to-be friend Tiger Woods. Following the same, he was offered a position which he accepted at TGR Ventures after working at IMG for five years. This proved to be one of the best decisions in McNamara’s life as he came to be promoted to Vice President at the legend’s brand.

And now, through the years of working together, the duo have become good friends on and off the course. However, the VP’s role does not stop at being just his buddy but filling the shoes of Chris Como, Mr. T’s swing coach with whom he parted ways in 2017.

Woods’ extra set of eyes on the course

Although the TGR Ventures official is a Vice President of the company, he is ‘unofficially’ a coach of sorts on the greens for the legend. The longtime friend has been very impactful in the professional’s career, leading him to not employ another swing instructor on the course. The 15x major champ and McNamara had been very vocal in an interview about their peculiar relationship that blossomed from their junior golf days into a working one to that of the latter becoming a “trusted second set of eyes.” 

The 47-year-old dubbed the current looper as a “crucial member of Tiger’s team” all the while explaining how he felt as if they were “reliving the glory days and how they (Woods and McNamara) were younger” when the pair played together. The pro recounted how they have played “a ton of golf at Isleworth,” the club where the 1997 Masters champ shot his lowest round of 59 against Mark O’Meera in a practice round.

The 82X PGA Tour champ was all praise for his bagman as he pointed out how “he’s a good player,” and how the looper has witnessed him “go through changes and iterations in the game of golf” as he expressed the importance of having McNamara as a practice partner on the course. Moreover, Mr. T divulged how “fun” and “lighthearted” playing with him was, all the while indicating how he’s able to focus better, conveying the “perfect balance” of the situation.

Well, what of the old friend? The caddie for the Hero World Challenge revealed how he was extremely familiar with Woods. McNamara mentioned how the two have practiced together “so much over the years” that he knows “what it(the shot) should look like or what typically he’s trying to do.” However, the looper quickly pointed out how most of it would be the professional asking him if he’s doing it right with the former “quickly confirming it for him…and then kind of backing away.”

What else does one want when trying to make a comeback to the game other than a comfortable and wonderful golfer-caddie partnership? However, the 5X Masters Tournament champ has not yet decided on his plans for the bag during the PNC Championship and the subsequent tournaments in 2024. Well, if the current pairing becomes a success for the legend of the game, then the golfing world is set to witness the duo together on the greens again!

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