GOLF:IF STEVE Williams was in a battle to win over the affections of the golfing public he appears to have spectacularly failed with his triumphant musings in the immediate aftermath of Adam Scott's WGC Bridgestone Invitational win at Firestone.
Williams has seemingly found it hard to come to terms with his split from Tiger Woods, who sacked him last month after he expressed an interest in taking Scott’s bag while the pair “were on a break”.
Williams bemoaned the lack of “respect” shown by Woods after being informed of the decision over the phone. He had some sympathy out there, having been the silent partner in the most successful golf partnership ever for 11 years, but that was evaporating yesterday after he was accused of treating his new employer in a similar manner.
Williams gave a cursory mention to Scott after the Australian sealed a four-shot victory with a flawless 65. Met by David Feherty for CBS, he described the achievement as the “best win I’ve ever had”, dismissing the 13 Majors he won with the former world number one.
A keen and successful Speedway racer, he added: “I caddie and I go racing and when I go to the race track the only place I am interested in is finishing first. When I go to the golf course that’s the only place I’m trying to finish. I’m a great frontrunner when I go racing and I feel like I’m a good frontrunner when I go caddying.”
The absence of any praise for Scott, or even gratitude for helping him to a €98,000 cheque a month into into their relationship angered many, and not just armchair warriors either.
“Cannot believe they have interviewed Steve Williams,” said English golfer Oliver Wilson on Twitter. “Nice of him to take away from Scotty’s win. Says it all . . .”
Ladies PGA Tour player Christina Kim was slightly more forthright on her account: “Steve surely doesn’t seem bitter at all. Greatest week of my life. Good job congratulating Adam, who hit the shots, you knob.”
Paul Azinger, a tour veteran like Williams, said the New Zealander broke “the unwritten caddy rule, by talking to the press. Most don’t, a few do at times when appropriate. #notapopularguy”
Williams was aggressively dismissive of the media while on Woods’ bag and perhaps he was eager to release some pent up energy. Indeed, he later apologised to the assembled reporters for his surly persona over the last decade.
“I’ve probably been a bit unfair to the media sometimes. I realise I owe you guys something, so it’s no problem.”
It might be a problem if he carries on like this, of course, because his assertion that “people are sympathetic” to the way his relationship with Woods ended rang a little hollow yesterday morning.
He may have picked up over twice what Woods earned this week but while on the American’s bag he pocketed around $10 million in prize money alone.
“Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments. I wish him great success in the future,” said Woods on his website last month.
When Tiger Woods has got the moral high ground you know you’re losing the PR battle.
