Tiger Woods won’t say as much, but he’s ticked at his ex-toter
Tiger Woods wasn't all smiles Wednesday. Here's an exception. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Tiger Woods hasn’t been Tiger Woods lately, but nobody else has, either. The media vortex, like nature, abhors a vacuum. Which is why, in the absence of Tiger winning anything, we’ve latched onto the curious case of Tiger’s “winning” ex-caddie and rendered it Breaking News.
You know the story: Tiger fired Steve Williams, the caddie nobody much liked, and then Williams carried Adam Scott’s clubs as the player was winning last week’s Bridgestone Invitational. This prompted the bag-toter to go on TV and call it “the most satisfying win” of his career, which would have been akin to Yogi Berra shoving aside Don Larsen to proclaim what happened in the 1956 World Series “the greatest game I’ve ever caught.”
This week brings the PGA Championship in Johns Creek, and Woods briefed the assembled media Wednesday while working hard to say nothing about his ex-valet. But Tiger remains so measured in his words (if not his personal life) that what little he said resonated.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Tiger is ticked. (More than a few other golfers aren’t happy with Williams, either, and the toter himself made use of his website — that’s correct; a caddie has a website — to apologize Wednesday “for failing to mention Adam’s outstanding performance.”) Tiger Woods made Steve Williams so famous that people actually know who Steve Williams is, and now the valet scorned is using his improbable pulpit to crow.
Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, was seen speaking with Williams on Tuesday at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Asked about this, Woods said: “They talked, yeah. You’re right.” He didn’t say what was discussed. Three guesses, huh?
Woods admitted he sent Williams a congratulatory message last Sunday. (”A nice text,” Tiger said.) He also revealed the two had spoken since the the caddie trumpeted his famous “victory” but maintained, “That’s between Stevie [note the use of the diminutive] and myself.”
There was a time when a ticked Tiger would have stormed out and stacked two dozen birdies on a golf course’s noggin, but nobody’s sure if this Tiger — aged 35, coming off an infamous divorce and recovering from a bum knee and a sore Achilles, a winner of no majors since 2008 — is capable of putting his golf sticks where his snarl is.
Someone asked what his expectation for the PGA was. “A ‘W,’ ” Tiger said. Then, smiling: “Want me to elaborate? A nice ‘W.’ ”
Earlier, Rory McIlroy had offered his impression of the latter-day Tiger Woods. “He’s still the biggest attraction in the game, so that hasn’t changed,” said McIlroy, who led the Masters after three rounds and who won the U.S. Open going away. “The only thing that’s changed is that he just isn’t winning as much as he did back then.”
Then: “But that’s not to say that he won’t do it again. I don’t think it’s quite a new era yet until other guys start to win majors regularly like he did.”
And that’s the issue, not just with Tiger but with golf. Everyone’s wondering: If not Tiger, who? But there’s also an accompanying question: Are we absolutely sure it won’t be Tiger?
Speaking obliquely of the storm over Stevie, Tiger said: “All I can control is my life and how I feel.” For what it’s worth, he said he felt great physically, that he can walk a course without “having to block out pain.”
Realistically, you wouldn’t expect him to get his ‘W’ this weekend. He has played only one full tournament, that coming last week, since the Masters. But there were long moments Sunday at Augusta National when Tiger seemed destined to win the thing. (He finished fourth.) He might not have played like Tiger Woods in a while, but he’s still the only Tiger Woods in this or any field.
Tiger was asked Wednesday if, growing up, he pulled for underdogs or preferred seeing the big names win. To no one’s surprise, he said he was a fan of dynasties — Magic’s Lakers, Bird’s Celtics, Michael’s Bulls, Jeter’s Yankees. It’s possible the reign of the world’s only dynastic golfer is nearing its end, but the guess here is that Tiger Woods has a few majors left in his tank. The guess is that he’ll be winning long after we’ve forgotten whatever it was that Stevie Williams, whoever he is, happened to say.
By Mark Bradley
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98 comments Add your comment
moorman
August 10th, 2011
7:20 pm
most of the comments in this thread, is WHY atlanta is a LOSING professional sports town……………..
moorman
August 10th, 2011
7:21 pm
ran deion sanders off ( trying to reclaim him now), ran vick off, didnt support dominique, david justice, but yall support the CADDIE…………….lol, LOSING sports town…………………lol
Juice
August 10th, 2011
8:00 pm
An old DOG once told me…..there are three things in this world that won’t last………
1) dogs that chase cars….
2) pros that putt for pars….
3) and caddies who think their stars…..
dawgschiro
August 10th, 2011
8:03 pm
Steve made a ton of money carrying Tiger’s bag for 12 years. He got let go. Instead of being happy for the golfer he caddied to a win, he decided to rub it in Tiger’s face that he lost. Umm…where in any of this did Steve pick up a golf club and play the course himself? No where. He acted a fool last weekend and the people cheering him for Tiger’s actions against his wife are ridiculous. Tiger doesn’t owe it to any of us to be a good man. He owes it to himself and his children. All I want is for Tiger to play a good game and make a tourney exciting, otherwise I don’t care what he does in his private time.
Danny G
August 10th, 2011
8:04 pm
moorman the moron. Braves-2nd best record in NFC. Falcons-playoffs every year now. Loser? You must mean some other town.
Danny G
August 10th, 2011
8:05 pm
Of course I meant National League. Wife came in and interrupted my flow.
SAL
August 10th, 2011
8:11 pm
Who cares!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Pompano
August 10th, 2011
8:14 pm
Wow @Moorman, we seldom run across folks as clueless about Atlanta Sports history participating in AJC blogs. Let me provide some ACTUAL facts for you:
Deion – that was the cheapness of the Smith family and had nothing to do with the fans.
Vick – I seem to remember that it was the Feds (you may have confused this simple 3-letter with Fans) that took him out of Atlanta.
Dominique – one of the most revered figures in Atlanta Sports. Fans were angry about the trade and Every team since his retirement has looked to involve him in the organization.
Justice – Schuerholz traded him as he was a horrible clubhouse influence. Pencil a lot of other names into this box as he kept the Braves stocked with talent for the long-term without saddling them with thge drama of over-blown crybabys. JS was one of the best GM’s of all-time.
BobDawg
August 10th, 2011
8:15 pm
What I find hilareous is the fact the ‘Stevie” actually made $140,000 on the winning bag of Adam Scott while “Tigger” only made $57,000 placing way back in the Bridgestone… Scoreboard, Tigger!!!!
Matt Danon
August 10th, 2011
8:17 pm
Lay off Tiger. Soon he’ll be winning and you will still be stuck posting comments. He has friends from childhood still with him and he’s getting rid of negative people around him. Look he’s smiling and enjoying himself and moving on. Listen to the words he uses in the interview. Still a role model and even more so now that he is overcoming so much. And learning from mistakes. Oooh his next win wil be so sweet. Go Tiger. Roaaaaaaaar!
fitzgerald
August 10th, 2011
8:17 pm
Maybe the Tiger is just pissed he got caught………….and everything else has lined up behind this mishap. Sow it and then reap it……….good or bad.
BobDawg
August 10th, 2011
8:18 pm
I find it funny that Stevie beat Tiger in earnings this week $140,000 to $57,000…. I would be crowing also…SCOREBOARD!!!!
dawg4u
August 10th, 2011
8:34 pm
I was thinking back to August 2002 when Tiger was the defending champion of every single major and getting ready to play the PGA. He was also considered the ideal family man back then but also to put it bluntly a jerk. The only thing that has changed now is that he is no longer winning majors and considered a real scumbag for cheating on his wife with numerous women. I always admired his golf skills and used to root for him on a regular basis. I was sorry to learn of the events on Thanksgiving night of 2009 and shocked like everyone else to learn of his off course activities and the fact that his once charmed life was spinning out of control – because of his own actions of course. I was wishing him well and hoping he would turn everything around and learn from what happened. It is all up to Tiger and his attitude. I have learned however, that when you treat others badly and not taken responsibilty – total responsibilty for your own actions – then you will continue to regress and not make progress in whatever pursuit you have. Steve Williams probably should not have spoken out the way he did because he had an axe to grind but it was the truth for him and he had to get it off his chest. My advice to Tiger would be just to play golf and be as amicable as possible to everyone and quit coming off as being a total jerk. We all make mistakes so move on and be a gentleman. Just one man’s humble opinion. I was glad that Tiger didn’t really comment one way or the other on Stevie’s comments.
Dalai Llama
August 10th, 2011
8:51 pm
Tiger has everything money can buy. Money can’t, however, buy friends and it won’t fix the bad Karma he is due. Jack’s record is safe. You heard it here.
Also, There will be no money, but when Tiger dies, on his deathbed, he will receive total consciousness. Which is nice.
Navigator
August 10th, 2011
8:53 pm
Tiger has proven over the years he won’t total loyalty from his caddies and secrecy for their personal dealings. However, Fluff had the audacity to tell a magazine how much he made and was fired. Williams had the audacity to caddy for another golfer (when Tiger wasn’t playing) and he was fired. His hitting instructor had the audacity to take on other clients and Tiger parted ways. Is everyone seeing the pattern here? Tiger wants everyone to bow to his wishes while he breaks every confidence he ever had with anyone. This is an example of a pompous athlete build up by the media to be above reproach, and now spits venom if anyone questions him. He had his run now he has to deal with the rest of the world like everyone else and it doesn’t sit well with him. Too bad!!
PMC
August 10th, 2011
9:00 pm
Steve was already working with someone else when Tiger “fired” him.
This is much ado about nothing. No one was injured in this situation in the least.
will
August 10th, 2011
9:02 pm
FYI-The word on the PGA Tour and out of Nike, is that Tiger has been paying Williams a salary since the beginning of 2010.
dawg4u
August 10th, 2011
9:04 pm
Nine years ago Tiger was the defending champion of all four majors as he got ready to play the 2002 PGA. He was also considered the ideal family man. Now he is no longer favored in any tournament much less a major. His public image had taken a real beating since the events of Thanksgiving 2009 came to light. I used to be a Tiger fan in a big way – even rooted for him in every major from April ‘97 until his last major in the ‘08 U.S. Open. I still wish him the best and hope he can turn around the bad image. One thing that I noticed though is even when I was rooting for him because of his golfing excellence and fine public image back then was that he came across as being a jerk and don’t think he has changed that much even in view of recent developments. I still hope he turns it around though both from a golfing and personal level.
Dude...Seriously?
August 10th, 2011
9:04 pm
I’m embarrassed for Bradley. Talk about ‘mailing it in’
caddie smaddie!
August 10th, 2011
9:05 pm
I find it hilarious that people are standing behind Steve Williams! Did not Tiger win tournaments prior to “Stevie” showing up. The guy has been a hated caddie for years and now he is everyone’s darling, spurned, hero with the utmost integrity. Steve Williams owe’s Tiger more than Tiger owe’s him. If he was truly your friend you would not play this in public and go on the New Zealand version of 60 minutes to discuss Tiger’s affair. The guy has gravy trained for years and made the mistake of thinking it was him and not Tiger winning. Case closed!
wxwax
August 10th, 2011
9:41 pm
Tiger Woods made Steve Williams a millionaire 9 times over.
Williams is an ass for complaining. And he’s a double ass for putting himself above his boss when he granted an interview last Sunday.
As for Tiger, it’s been a steady 2 years of negative stories. He acted like a pr*ck and when the media turn on you, they really do it with gusto.
But watch the haters turn on a dime when he wins again.
superDawg
August 10th, 2011
9:41 pm
Tiger Woods you need to ask GOD for forgiveness ADULTRY is a breach of the ten comandments.
Tiger is Asian
August 10th, 2011
11:02 pm
It is truly sad that all the delusional “peeps” who are on Tiger’s tip and smooch his bottom at every chance only do because of the color of his skin. What is even more sad is Tiger wouldn’t stop to help or even tinkle on them if they were on fire.
Ek Tha Tiger first look revealed :: SuperIndia Times
August 10th, 2011
11:37 pm
[...] Tiger Woods won't say as much, but he's ticked at his ex-toter … [...]
mike
August 11th, 2011
1:08 am
falcons4eva- you’re right. what kind of article is this? mark, you have no evidence at all to support your title. weak
Tiger Woods thinking about a win at PGA Championship – Detroit Free Press | Mobile News World Magazine
August 11th, 2011
2:51 am
[...] expectation in the final major — only his third time teeing it up since April with a …Tiger Woods won't say as much, but he's ticked at his ex-toterAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Scott Wants Clubs to Speak Louder Than Caddie at Golf's PGA [...]
Stinger2
August 11th, 2011
5:41 am
I wonder why many fans (no matter what the sport) want to meet their heros and get autographs, etc. These fans should realize that most athletes don`t really care about the fans. Its the money they care about. I admit when I was young, I had my heros and wanted to meet them. Now, being older, I could care less. Yesterday, as I finished a round of golf, I was told that Al Geiberger (Mr. 59 shooter and the guy who always carried peanut butter sandwiches in his bag) was coming in. Just was not interested in meeting him because I knew he had no reason to want to meet me.
Ron H.
August 11th, 2011
5:43 am
I’m glad for Steve. What better way to get back at Tiger, even if those weren’t his true intentions?
Tiger, in my opinion, may come back and be successful, but not the way he once was. Everyone knows he’s beatable now. He’ll never be that dominant again. They know he’s got mental issues.
Good luck to Tiger, though. Stevie, too. Wish them the best.
jim
August 11th, 2011
6:14 am
Stevie was Tigers puppet, great caddies are priceless.
Buckeye
August 11th, 2011
6:40 am
4:51 Buckeye,
You, Sir, are a gutless highjacker.
Buckeye
August 11th, 2011
6:41 am
i’m heading to the ACC to watch the morning round then back to the AC for the afternoon on the couch.
Sloan
August 11th, 2011
7:21 am
Bradley I am beginning to think that you are listening to week old podcasts of ESPN radio and then regurgitating them in an effort to fill space.
Roger
August 11th, 2011
7:34 am
Tiger always referred to Williams as “Stevie”, so it is a stretch to read into this reference any intentional “diminutive” characterization. Mark, I am not carrying Tiger’s flag but let’s not get carried away like a New York Times columnist writing about the Tea Party.
redweather
August 11th, 2011
7:44 am
@PMC
“Steve was already working with someone else when Tiger “fired” him. ”
My understanding is that Steve asked Tiger if he would mind if he caddied for Adam Scott while Tiger was away from the game nursing his latest injury and Tiger gave him the go ahead. So while it is true that Steve was working for Adam when Tiger fired him, Steve didn’t think that meant he and Tiger were done. The fact that Tiger then “hired” his old pal what’s-his-name to carry the bag strongly suggests that Tiger’s decision to fire Steve Williams was made on the spur of the moment and was maybe even to some extent vindictive.
GT
August 11th, 2011
7:53 am
A caddy for crying out loud. What we have here is the lowest common denominator for a story line. A guy not trained in the ways of the world and egged on by the sharks. Let play golf, I am glad Tiger is back. I hope he kicks it and makes all the little lives miserable. He is a lot like Obama to me where I can’t tell if the stupidy about him is from jealousy or that he is black, but when he is on he is the greatest golfer I have ever seen.
howard
August 11th, 2011
8:20 am
I have no problem with what Williams said in the moment. Tiger treated him poorly. Williams deserved a little sweet revenge. And, if the other pros didn’t like it they can take their egos and game and go play without a caddie. Regarding Tiger….I, too, am more than tired of the media covering him until he ACTUALLY does something within his sport worth covering. I’d rather read about some of the young pros who are on the way up, who ARE role models for other young people.
gt4ever
August 11th, 2011
8:32 am
I really used to like Tiger…. I really wish he would just GO AWAY! He is a LOSER. Period! The baby cries about the rough being to high, and the PGA tells the AAC to cut it down for little ole Tiger! Tiger needs to get a GRIP. He is NO longer the best in Golf…. Not even close! He is just a BRAT!
JB
August 11th, 2011
9:09 am
Tiger used to be the best golfer in the world. You can not deny what he has done and accomplished. Golf is so mental….and physical at that level. His own demons have caught up with him and he’s lost something he loved very much, his family and respect of the golf world. He’s lost them both, and it’s weighing on him. He’ll win here and there again, but never dominate again, IMO. It’s like in the Rocky 5 movie. He hit the guy and made him bleed and was declared human. Nobody is scared of Tiger any more.
Joycee Banicheck
August 11th, 2011
9:17 am
Good lord another Tiger article from the mainstream sports media. You guys love to fluff on Tiger’s jock. I’m surprised this actually didn’t come from that hack Schultz. Brad I’m disappointed that you that you fell in line with every other sports talking head and felt the need to force feed us more Tiger jargon.
Tiger is a cheap arrogant prick, and irrelevant none the less.
JDHGT
August 11th, 2011
9:17 am
It really makes me laugh when folks get on here and comment about how no one cares. If this isn’t a subject that you care about, THEN DON’T READ IT! And quit commenting for attention.
Mr. Bradley, Nice column. I’m really hoping some of these young guys really start fulfilling promise and give us a new version of Tiger/Phil or Jack/Palmer.
A dad
August 11th, 2011
9:38 am
Tiger made his mistakes and has paid his dues for them. It’s now time for him to get back to what he’s been so incredible at, lighting up the golf course. Everyone can opine on “Tiger this…” and “Tiger that …” but I for one enjoy watching him take on a golf course, and all I can say is “go get em son. I hope come Sunday your name is at the top of the board.” Oh, almost forgot. Not crazy about the goatee.
Hmmmmmmm
August 11th, 2011
9:43 am
I’m really glad it makes you laugh JDHGT. You can pull for the Prick all you want, that’s your choice. I for one would like the media to keep this LOSER out of the publics eye… He is POS LOSER. Period! IMHO….
Joycee Banicheck
August 11th, 2011
9:52 am
Fact, in the 5 year run that the POS won the $1M+ purse at Firestone he never tipped the guy in the employee in the clubhouse who shined his shoes, ran his dry cleaning, set up meals, and pretty much whatever else the POS needed for those 5 weeks. Not a single penny….
Phil on the other hand, a guy shines his shoes, does an errand or two and BAM, $1K tip for you sir.
POS Woods has ZERO class. And don’t even get me started when a few years ago at Firestone when hit hit a kid with an errant shot just walked up to the boy and threw a golf glove at him. There isn’t a sincere bone in that dude’s body, if you think otherwise you are nothing more than sheep.
Joycee Banicheck
August 11th, 2011
9:53 am
I made C’s in grammar obviously, but you get the point.
DHD
August 11th, 2011
9:58 am
Tiger Woods is old news. Get with the program. Write about someone besides Tiger, Vick, and Favre.
Joey
August 11th, 2011
10:35 am
Classless vs Classless.
The Alpha Male
August 12th, 2011
8:54 am
Tiger has been a low class jerk all his career…. why would anybody be shocked that he would then perpetrate a low-class jerk move like firing his former caddie/friend OVER THE PHONE??? Tiger will reap what he has sewn… just like he’s been doing for the past 2 years.
The Alpha Male
August 12th, 2011
8:56 am
Wow, Joycee…. do you kiss your mother with that mouth??