Woods looks to new caddie

GOLF: Tiger Woods returns to action on the PGA Tour tomorrow with a new caddie and a new position outside the world's top 50.

Woods, who has not won a tournament since November 2009, dropped from 50th to 51st when the updated standings were released on Monday.

That ended a streak of 778 consecutive weeks inside the top 50, dating back to when the former world number one was 61st on October 13, 1996.

Woods, who has not played an official event since missing the cut in the US PGA Championship with rounds of 77 and 73, returns to competition this week at the Frys.com Open at CordeValle Golf Club near San Jose.

The 35-year-old will have new caddie Joe LaCava on the bag after LaCava decided to leave world number five Dustin Johnson. And he is reportedly in good form after shooting a round of 62 over his home course in Florida last week.

“I’m excited to be back,” Woods said on his official website. “I’ve had good practice sessions at home and am eager to get back under the gun.”

Woods will partner 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and amateur Patrick Cantlay in the opening two rounds. Oosthuizen’s fifth-place finish in the Dunhill Links Championship ensured Woods would drop out of the top 50.

Woods will be hoping to prove that the hard work he has put in with coach Sean Foley has paid off.

Speaking after the US PGA Championship, Woods said: “I think it’s a step back in the sense that I didn’t make the cut and I’m not contending in the tournament.

“But it’s a giant leap forward in the fact that I played two straight weeks, healthy. That’s great for our practice sessions coming up. We are going to be able to work and get after it.

“I’ll have nothing to do but work on my game. That’s going to be good. Sean and I haven’t had the opportunity to really sit down and do a lot of work, so this will be our time.”

England’s Paul Casey also returns to action after six weeks out with a toe injury.