July 2024 is going to mark a significant month in Tiger Woods’ career. With the Open Championship scheduled from July 18 to July 21 at the Royal Troon, this might be his last run at winning a major and making a comeback! He has already taken a long flight to Scotland a week ahead and his preparation is in full swing.

The practice round for the Open Championship saw Tiger Woods on the course, but unlike the U.S. Open last month, where his son Charlie Woods caddied for him, there was no sign of the young Woods this time around. So, the question remains: who will be in the bag for Tiger Woods in the upcoming major?

Lance Bennett to caddie for Tiger Woods at the Royal Troon

Tiger Woods began the practice round on Sunday at the Royal Troon Golf Club with his caddie, Lance Bennett, by his side, as he tried to putt and chip from different angles while Bennett carried his clubs and brought back the bombs for him. He did this so that he could bond better with his caddie.

Golf Digest even reported the news right after the practice round on Sunday. They took to their official X (formerly Twitter) account and wrote, “Tiger Woods and caddie Lance Bennett went all 18 holes, with hundreds of fans following along after getting word he was in town.”

Lance Bennett has been a renowned caddie on the PGA Tour since 2003. He has caddied for players like Matt Kuchar, Sungjae Im, and Davis Riley. Tiger Woods played together with Kuchar at the Presidents Cup and it was since then that he knew 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,” said Mr. T.

Lance Bennett has been caddying for Tiger Woods since the Genesis Invitational in February after Joe LaCava and Woods ended their 12-year-long association in 2023. This time, Mr. T wants to be well prepared because he has not played a single tournament at the course in Scotland since his ninth finish in 2004, after missing out in 2016 because of his back injury.

The Open Championship did not open up to a great start because Woods was not backed up by either of his support pillars. His children have been on the course rooting for him. Be it Charlie Woods’ helping hand before every major, or his daughter caddying for him at the PNC Championship last year. But what is the reason that Woods Jr. could not make it to such an important event?

Is Charlie Woods preparing for his first USGA Championship?

Charlie Woods shot a 1-under 71 on Wednesday at the Eagle Trace Gold Club in Florida. This helped him become one of the four golfers who earned a spot at the US Junior Amateur, which is scheduled from July 22 to July 28. The 15-year-old not only qualified for the tournament but also earned the medalist honor as he ended his round at the qualifier with a score of 1 under 71.

This will be his first-ever USGA event, and most importantly, Tiger Woods has also won it three times consecutively from 1994 to 1996. Charlie Woods will be a part of the 264 field championship, hoping to be among the 64 golfers who make it to the final round. This is probably the reason why he could not make it to the Royal Troon to support his father for the final major of the season—so that he could fulfill his dreams and make his father proud!