No ill-feeling towards Tiger

Kingsbarns - America's Dustin Johnson harbours no ill-feeling toward Tiger Woods after losing his caddie to the former world No. 1 at the weekend.

Joe LaCava left the fifth-ranked Johnson on Sunday to become Woods' third full-time caddie.

"I spoke to Tiger about it. There's no hard feelings at all," Johnson said on Thursday after shooting a 1-under 71 in the first round of the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

"We had a great conversation. He just did what he did."

LaCava was the longtime caddie for Fred Couples but linked up in the summer with Johnson, one of the most talented American players, who was looking for a bagman. Johnson won The Barclays last month with LaCava as caddie.

"I liked Joe. I still do. But you've got to make decisions and you can't get mad at him for the decisions he made," said Johnson, who was in the locker room after the final round of the Tour Championship when he found out LaCava had been hired by Woods.

"He got offered a job so he took it. You can't blame the guy. If he wants to go and caddie for him, it's fine by me."

Johnson said he wasn't short of options after starting his search for a permanent replacement for LaCava, but will have Keith Sbarbaro - the vice president of his club maker TaylorMade - on his bag for the rest of the year.

Sbarbaro has caddied for Johnson in tournaments in Korea and Germany this year.

"He's a real good buddy of mine," Johnson said.