As if Tiger Woods didn’t have enough to worry about on Sunday after a mediocre showing at the Bridgestone Invitational in his return to the links and hearing the news that another high-end corporate sponsor has dropped him, the controversy-stricken golfer had to listen to pointed comments from his ex-caddie, Steve Williams. Williams, who had been fired by Woods after several fruitful years, helped pilot Adam Scott to the top of the leaderboard at Bridgestone. With the gallery chanting his name and yelling out support, the conclusion of the tournament seemed as much about Williams as Scott, who nailed a handful of clutch shots to secure the first world title of his career. After Scott had locked up the triumph, Williams was the one that the press was after and he seemed happy to oblige. Talking to CBS Sports on the 18th green, Williams made it clear how this tournament ranked as compared to all those extremely successful years he was with Tiger: “I’ve caddied for 33 years – 145 wins now – and that’s the best win I’ve ever had.” Although Williams didn’t mention Tiger by name, there was no mistaking the impact of that statement. Williams’ presence in the spotlight didn’t go unnoticed by former pro golfer Paul Azinger, who tweeted, “Steve Williams breaks the unwritten caddy rule, by talking to the press. Most don’t, a few do at times when appropriate. #notapopularguy.” No doubt, Williams was convinced that his situation was indeed one of those appropriate times that Azinger alluded to as the New Zealander felt the need to dispute Tiger’s account of his dismissal. Although Tiger had indicated that he had fired Williams in a face-to-face meeting, Williams claimed the conversation occurred over the telephone. Regardless of the forum, Williams wasted no time in making his presence and feelings known after being sacked. Shortly after Woods announced that he was parting ways with Williams last month, the caddie publicly revealed that he lost respect for the golfer when his infidelities were made public. Williams also said that he is planning a book once his career is over, noting that there will be an “interesting” chapter on Woods. Of course, all of those words didn’t have half the impact of Williams being on the bag for Adam Scott as he won a tournament in which Tiger floundered.
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on August 9, 2011. Filed under News.
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Posted by
on August 9, 2011. Filed under