Fifteen-time Major winning Tiger Woods and his caddie, Joe LaCava are facing a Florida lawsuit following an alleged incident during the 2018 Valspar Championship.
A Brian Borruso filed a complaint on Tuesday in Pinellas County that covers the host Innisbrook Resort course in Tampa stating he sought to take a ‘selfie’ as Woods approached the 13th green during the third round of the event where Woods was competing for a first time in his career.
Borruso alleges LaCava “intentionally shoved” him and caused him to stumble and fall into the crowd.
Josh Drechsel, the lawyer representing Borruso, said the lawsuit had been filed two years after the tournament to get a better understanding of the injuries, which were described in the suit as “either permanent or continuing”.
Associated Press reports Mark Steinberg, and Woods’ long-time Excel Sports Management agent, did not immediately reply to a text seeking comment while LaCava declined to comment.
Drechsel has now taken the very rare step of issuing a public plea for evidence from fans who were at the 13th green that day and may have witnessed the alleged incident.
Video evidence does show LaCava approaching fans with his left arm extended saying, “You’ve got to back it up.”
Drechsel says he wants to find the fans who could be heard on another video. One says, “I love Tiger, but I don’t like him,” and another voice is heard saying, “He just pushed him. He just shoved him right out of there.”
In the lawsuit Borruso says he had been forced to go the hospital to be treated for his injuries.
Woods was named as a defendant because he employs LaCava, who previously was the longtime caddie for Fred Couples and began working for Woods in late 2011.
Drechsel said he asked the PGA Tour for video from the tournament and said the tour told him it was unable to provide any without a court order.
Woods eventually finished runner-up by a shot to England’s Paul Casey
* This story was filed by AP
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