PGA Tour legend Tiger Woods’ Former Caddie Reveals the Decision Behind the Move
PGA Tour legend Tiger Woods and his former caddie Steve Williams formed one of the most successful player-caddie partnerships in golf history. But when Woods first approached Williams in 1999, the veteran caddie did not immediately accept the offer.
On the High Performance podcast in April, Williams revealed that he took 24 hours to consider Woods’ offer after meeting Woods at his Orlando home in March 1999. He later agreed to join his team.
“I just didn’t sort of say to him when I was at his house, I didn’t tell him right there and then I was going to take the job, but I thought about it for 24 hours,” said Williams.
After parting ways with original tour caddie Mike “Fluff” Cowan, Woods reportedly chose Williams as his next caddie.
Williams knew the standards of Woods and was up for the challenge. The Cypress-born golfer was about 23 years old when they met and was already eyeing a historic career.
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“I knew he had lofty goals. We talked about what his goals were. It was fantastic to see someone had such a strong desire to break Jack’s record of 18 majors and you know his whole career and even you know 99’ he’s still only a young guy on the tour only been on the tour for four years and that and but you know he had strong goals and and and wanted to do you know create a legacy,” said Williams.
The pair went on to dominate the sport. Their partnership reached new heights during the Tiger Slam, when Woods won four consecutive majors between 2000 and 2001. Woods ultimately won 13 of his 15 major titles and countless other tournaments with Williams on the bag.
Their relationship went beyond the golf course, as Woods became the best man at Williams’ wedding and also attended many of Williams’ dirt track races
However, the pair fell out in 2011, bringing their 13-year partnership to an end.
On July 20, 2011, Woods announced that he had decided to make a change and end Williams’ tenure as his caddie.
“Following the completion of the AT&T National I am no longer caddying for Tiger after he informed me that he needed to make a change. After 13 years of loyal service needless to say this came as a shock,” Williams wrote on his website.
Williams was already working with Australia’s Adam Scott even before the split, when Woods was recovering from injuries. Following the fallout, Williams joined forces with Scott.
Scott lifted the 2013 Masters title with Williams on the bag. In 2017, the duo split before reuniting in 2022.
