The golfer-caddie duo often gets intense. For instance, Tim Tucker’s split from Bryson DeChambeau just before the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic was a shocker too. Reports suggested the grind of Bryson’s data-heavy approach and relentless workload had something to do with this. Another golf beef seemed deeper.
It was pretty clear that Steve Williams and Tiger Woods were not big fans of each other. “One thing that really pi**ed me off was how he would flippantly toss a club in the general direction of the bag, expecting me to go over and pick it up. I felt uneasy about bending down to pick up his discarded club, it was like I was his slave.” Steve Williams, Tiger Woods’s former caddie, made this candid remark after their highly publicized split, shedding light on the tensions and resentments that had been building between them.
Despite their contentious past, Williams has consistently expressed admiration for Woods’s dedication to golf. And even now, with Woods facing his latest setback – a new Achilles tendon issue – Williams remains confident that his former boss still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Speaking on the latest Fried Egg Golf episode on YouTube, Williams shared his thoughts on Woods’s remarkable career and his ongoing comeback. When asked about Woods’s determination, Williams said, “You know, Tiger was just… he had a goal, and that was obviously to clip Jack’s record of 18 majors, and he was never going to stop working hard, even to this day, even as we speak right now.”
Williams emphasized Woods’s unwavering confidence, stating, “You know that he believes in himself, that some point he can stand on the first tee of a major championship and feel that he is fully fit to compete for 72 holes and that he’s done the practice to do that.” Williams also addressed that people, picking from last week’s news, think it’s Woods’ wrap-up but no chance – the golfer has more wins left.
152nd Open Championship Tiger Woods USA completes Round 2 of the 152nd Open Championship, Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. 18/07/2024. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile.ie All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Thos Caffrey Troon Royal Troon Golf Club South Ayrshire Scotland Copyright: xThosxCaffreyx *EDI*
Williams’s comments suggest that Woods is far from done and that his legendary work ethic and determination will continue to drive him forward. Well, this confidence Steve Williams has in Tiger Woods could be the result of the bond they shared for years.
Steve Williams ‘struck a bond’ with Woods that he hasn’t shared with any other player
Steve Williams had made a surprising U-turn in his assessment of their relationship in 2024. He now fondly recalls their time together, describing it as a “partnership” rather than a boss-employee bond. He attributes their strong connection to their shared values of hard work and dedication, saying, “We struck a relationship where we both had the same attitude towards seeing the same kind of hard work, dedication… We just struck a bond that probably I haven’t struck with any other player.”
Williams’ comments are a far cry from the tense dynamic he described in his autobiography, published eight years ago. It seems that time has healed old wounds, and Williams now looks back on their time together with nostalgia. He even credits Woods with introducing him to a new level of fitness, saying, “When I went to work with him, he brought a whole new meaning for the word ‘fitness’ to me.” His heartfelt tribute is a beautiful reminder that, sometimes, friendships bloom in adversity. What are your thoughts on Williams’s words? Let us know in the comment section below!
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