The last link to success is currently gone.
Tiger Woods has fired caddie Steve Williams, who was on his bag for thirteen major titles, sixty three PGA Tour wins, the outstanding 2000 season, the Tiger Slam, and therefore the riveting playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the 2008 U.S. Open.
But quite something, Woods has jettisoned his last link to security.
He's parted ways in which with 2 remarkably successful swing coaches in Butch Harmon and Hank Haney. he is divorced from his wife, Elin. He ditched a putter that helped him earn quite $100 million. he is been unable to regain his health.
And he is lost the aura that created him the best golfer of his generation, maybe of all time.
But he still had Stevie.
There were many that did not care abundant for Williams, who barged through galleries with the bag on his shoulder, seemingly determined to mow down anyone in his method. He failed to suffer fools -- nor photographers, reporters or spectators.
But he was doing the work he was asked to try and do and was loyal to 1 man, Woods, anyone else be damned. Say what you wish regarding him, however Williams' name as a caddie is impeccable, and Woods credited him many times for serving to him through some robust spots.
One notable example came on the 72nd hole of the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where Williams talked Woods into hitting a sand wedge from the rough -- not the pitching wedge Woods needed -- knowing his boss would be pumped up, the spin generated from the shot serving to him hit it nearer to the opening. you recognize the remainder. Tiger holed the birdie putt to force the playoff he won over Mediate ensuing day.
"That was the foremost notable example,'' said Haney, who was Woods' coach for 6 major titles however left him following the Players Championship in 2010. "There were various times, literally in each tournament, where a caddie has a chance to assist influence a player's call. In my observation, there was an inordinate quantity of times where Steve Williams would influence Tiger during a positive direction.
"He was simply an excellent caddie, particularly struggling. most are nervous when the tournament is on the road. The players are nervous, the caddies are nervous. I never sensed that Steve Williams had any choke in him in any respect. does one savvy several tournaments he won [as a caddie]? it had been over a hundred. what percentage with Raymond Floyd? With Greg Norman? he isn't simply obtaining lucky all the time.''
And that is what makes the choice thus curious. Yes, several players bear caddies like golf gloves. simply this year, Dustin Johnson has modified caddies, as has Sean O'Hair and Martin Kaymer and various others. Even British Open champion Darren Clarke wasn't settled along with his current caddie till some months ago, the caddie carousel typically moving at a dizzying pace.
But Woods hasn't hit an attempt in competition since could twelve, when he withdrew once 9 holes of the Players Championship with knee and Achilles injuries that have kept him from taking part in the last 2 majors. When he will come, does not he wish one constant by his facet, the rock who has been there for him through such a big amount of smart times within the past?
Woods and Williams were in every other's weddings, and that they became smart friends, though Williams vehemently has denied he had any information of the extra-marital affairs that led to a scandal from that Woods has nevertheless to recover.
On his web site, Williams said he was shocked and disappointed by the move, that really reduced quite 2 weeks ago at the AT&T National, a tournament that Woods hosts and where Williams was operating for Adam Scott.
Out of respect for Scott, for whom Williams would be functioning at the Open Championship, Williams requested that the news be kept quiet to avoid distraction.
Although you'll be able to surmise that Williams was paid handsomely throughout his tenure with Woods given the number of prize cash Woods has earned, he apparently wasn't receiving any salary whereas Woods failed to play. And there have been some important absences, as well as quite eight months following 2008 knee surgery, the 5 months away last year whereas Woods proscribed his personal problems, and this year, that has seen Woods play in precisely seven tournaments.
Williams, who lives in New Zealand, had traveled to the u. s. earlier of the U.S. Open with each intention of caddying for Woods at Congressional.
Woods never disclosed till once Williams arrived within the country that he planned to skip the tournament as a result of his injuries. that is when Scott -- an Australian who had parted along with his long-time caddie, Tony Navarro, following a runner-up end at the Masters -- reached out to Williams.
They knew one another well from years along on tour, and Williams sought permission from Woods. though Tiger gave his blessing, he apparently wasn't thrilled with the arrangement. providing nothing has modified golf-wise for Woods since he tied for fourth at the Masters and withdrew from the Players, you'll be able to surmise that Williams was ultimately doomed by his need to figure in Woods' absence.
"It's been nice having him on the bag for a few of weeks thus far,'' Scott told ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski last week at Royal St. George's. "I feel like I've learned a few of things, and it has been nice whereas i am in between guys. thus this can be completely a bonus on behalf of me.''
Now it becomes permanent, that is Scott's gain as he goes in search of his initial major title and more success.
Meanwhile, the speculation has begun regarding Woods' replacement caddie. will he track Billy Foster, who has worked for several players and is currently on Lee Westwood's bag? Or what regarding Joe LaCava, longtime caddie to Fred Couples who began operating for Johnson earlier this year?
Or he might attend longtime friend Bryon Bell, who has caddied for Woods from time to time when former caddie Mike "Fluff'' Cowen or Williams weren't obtainable. Bell currently heads Woods' style firm.
"I apprehend the caddie does not hit any shots, however to suppose that a caddie does not matter is simply not correct,'' Haney said. "If it is, then these players who build plenty of cash and win plenty of tournaments might notice anybody out there to hold their bag. thus clearly they suppose it matters.''
Of course it matters. that's why Woods sought stability for of these years.
Now, when one would suppose he desires it the foremost, a final bridge to the glory days has been breached.
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