Having Supported Tiger Woods’s Ex-Wife After Infamous Scandal, Former Caddie Once “Unfolded” the Golfer’s “Lie” About End of Their Relationship

Tiger Woods and Steve Williams are often remembered as one of the most formidable duos in golf history. Their partnership spanned 12 years, during which they achieved remarkable success, including 13 major championships and 63 Tour titles. Their collaboration was not just a professional relationship but also one that seemed to be built on mutual respect and camaraderie. However, their story took a dramatic turn, particularly when Woods abruptly fired Williams, leading to one of the more controversial episodes in golf’s recent history.

 

The relationship between Woods and Williams, which began in the late 1990s, was a defining feature of both their careers. Williams, a New Zealand native, had initially planned to retire from caddying in 2000. However, when Woods approached him with an offer, Williams was intrigued by the challenge and the potential for success. He decided to take up the role, and the results were spectacular. Under Williams’s caddying, Woods enjoyed a period of dominance in golf that included multiple major victories and numerous records.

 

The partnership seemed rock-solid until 2011, when Woods withdrew from the AT&T National due to a leg injury. During this period, Adam Scott, who was in need of a caddie, reached out to Williams. Williams sought Woods’s permission to caddy for Scott, which Woods initially granted. However, Woods later retracted his permission for reasons that were never fully disclosed. Williams found himself in a difficult position: he had committed to Scott and felt it was important to honor his word. As a result, Williams ended up caddying for Scott at the tournament. This decision, which was seen as a betrayal by Woods, led to Williams being dismissed from his role as Woods’s caddie after the U.S. Open that same year.

 

Williams’s dismissal was swift and unexpected. He recounted the experience, stating that Woods informed him of his termination after the U.S. Open in a straightforward manner. This abrupt ending to their professional relationship left many wondering about the underlying reasons and the manner in which it was handled.

 

The dispute over the circumstances of Williams’s firing was further complicated by differing accounts from Woods and Williams. Seven years after the incident, Williams appeared on Graham Bensinger’s YouTube Channel, where he was asked about the discrepancy in their stories. Woods had claimed that the firing was done in person, while Williams asserted that it was communicated over the phone. When pressed on why Woods would potentially misrepresent the situation, Williams responded diplomatically, acknowledging that both parties had their perspectives on how events unfolded and chose to leave it at that.

 

Williams’s relationship with Woods was not limited to their professional interactions. After the notorious scandal involving Woods in 2009, which centered around Woods’s infidelities and led to a major public fallout, Williams faced a moral dilemma. Despite his professional loyalty to Woods, Williams chose to support Elin Nordegren, Woods’s then-wife, during this turbulent period. The scandal rocked the golf world and beyond, with Williams finding himself in the difficult position of being closely associated with Woods while grappling with the ethical implications of the situation.

 

In his book, “Out of the Rough,” Williams detailed his reaction to the scandal. He was initially caught off guard by the news and faced intense media scrutiny as one of Woods’s closest associates. It was only months later that Woods reached out to Williams to explain the situation. Williams, in turn, expressed his sympathy but made it clear that he could not condone Woods’s actions. He was forthright about his disappointment and the impact it had on his relationship with Woods.

 

Despite the fallout from the scandal and the subsequent termination of their professional relationship, Williams continued to make significant contributions to the sport. After parting ways with Woods, he began caddying for Adam Scott, with whom he enjoyed a successful partnership until 2017. This period saw Williams remain a prominent figure in the golfing world, demonstrating his expertise and dedication on the greens.

 

In retrospect, the story of Tiger Woods and Steve Williams is a complex one, marked by both extraordinary success and notable controversy. Their journey reflects the often tumultuous nature of professional sports relationships, where personal and professional boundaries can become blurred. While their partnership brought them fame and accolades, it also highlighted the challenges and pitfalls that can arise when high stakes and personal issues intersect.

 

Their story is a testament to the intense pressures faced by athletes and those around them, and it serves as a reminder of how quickly relationships can change in the spotlight of fame and scandal.