Should Tiger Woods make caddie Steve Williams apologize for tirade against Phil Mickelson?
You wouldn’t know it’s the holiday season by the brouhaha stirring between Tiger Woods’s (usually quiet) caddie Steve Williams and Phil Mickelson.
It all started when Steve blasted Phil in comments that he thought were not going to be published, but they were. Steve said, “I wouldn’t call Mickelson a great player, ’cause I hate the [insert mean-spirited expletive]. I don’t particularly like the guy. He pays me no respect at all and hence I don’t pay him any respect. It’s no secret we don’t get along either.”
Phil didn’t take too kindly to the comments, so issued this statement: “After seeing Steve Williams’ comments all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones on my bag and representing me.”
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods didn’t like any of it: “I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect. It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with.”
Steve Williams, sensing he stuck his foot in his mouth, tried to explain, “I don’t deny that him and I don’t get along. I shouldn’t have said it, but no harm was meant. I was just having some fun.”
Analysis: Steve Williams violated the first rule of being a caddie — he caused a huge distraction and brought attention away from the players, not to mention Tiger’s tournament. That’s unfortunate. (Remember the last time that happened with Tiger Woods, Fluff Cowan became a media horde and was let go.) True, Williams is a good caddy, but anyone who can walk can carry Tiger Woods’s bag and win. What Steve Williams forgets is that Steve Williams is NOT the professional golfer. Tiger is. So is Phil. Reminder to Steve: it’s not about you, you don’t play on tour — you just carry a bag. Steve Williams may not get along with Phil Mickelson, but who really cares? For Steve Williams to say that Phil Mickelson is not really a great player is like the ball boy for the Lakers saying that Lebron James is not really a great player.
