Tiger and LaCava (USATSI)
Tiger's caddie Joe LaCava isn't taking any part-time offers in his absence. (USATSI)

Tiger Woods remains out indefinitely with a back injury that has required multiple surgeries in the last year. While the golf world awaits the Big Cat's return to the course, so too will his caddie Joe LaCava.

LaCava, who has served as Tiger's caddie since 2011, told ESPN.com that he has turned down part-time offers from other PGA Tour pros since Tiger's injury, electing to wait however long is necessary for Woods to return to the course. 

"A couple of guys approached me, I don't want to name any names, but I [politely] said no,'' LaCava said. "My plan is to wait for Tiger to get back. I've told them I just want to work for Tiger and nobody else at this point. They were all nice about it. They didn't know what my situation was. I've elected to wait things out with Tiger and that is my plan going forward.''

LaCava is no stranger to working with a player dealing with back injuries. He was with Fred Couples towards the end of Couples' regular PGA Tour career (he's now thriving on the Champions Tour) when Couples dealt with a bad back. 

"I know what he's capable of,'' LaCava told ESPN. "I saw it these years I worked for him. We all know he has the ability. He certainly hasn't lost any of his work ethic. Does the back issue worry people? I lived it with Fred. When you have a back issue it's tough, in all sports, specifically golf.

"I still have faith he's going to continue to do well and win. My thought is he will overcome the injury or whatever you want to call it. He might not be able to play as often as he would like. Once he's healed from this, he'll come back and play again and play well. My outlook is basically the same as when I started with him. He's Tiger Woods.''

There is no certain timetable for Woods' return to the course, but LaCava is committed to sticking with Tiger even if it means even more time away from the course. LaCava said that Tiger is still being "great and generous" towards him despite not playing currently, which allows LaCava to turn down offers to caddie part-time like he did while Couples took extended breaks to deal with his own back problems.