Round 1: World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational
August 4 2011
6:50 pm
Williams’ experience aids Scott
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM
It’s not as if Steve Williams fell into Adam Scott’s lap and it instantly added up to the Aussie’s best round of the year. Scott, after all, has played well most of the season with a tie for sixth at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, a runner-up at the Masters and a tie for third at the AT&T National, which was the second event Scott played in with Williams on his bag.
Of course it also doesn’t hurt having a caddie of Williams’ experience on his bag. Williams caddied for Tiger Woods in all seven of his victories at Firestone and all that course knowledge goes a long way.
“He just seems to have a lot of good rounds in him around this place, that’s for sure,” Scott joked after shooting an 8-under 62 to take a one-shot lead after Thursday’s opening round at Firestone. “He didn’t think it was a big deal to shoot 62. It was normal.”
What wasn’t exactly normal was how Williams ended up on Scott’s bag. With Woods injured, Williams asked to caddie for Scott, who earlier this year parted ways with Tony Navarro, at the U.S. Open. Woods obliged, but Williams caddied for Scott again at the AT&T National and was then fired by Woods following the final round.
With Scott still without a permanent caddie, Williams was suddenly available and was hired by Scott full time.
Williams has known Scott since before the Aussie turned pro, so the transition for Williams was an easy one. And Scott liked what Williams brought to his bag in terms of experience and attitude.
“I think he really understands how to manage a game well around the golf course,” Scott said. “That was one of the first things that was really obvious to me.
“But also, he’s got a few little notes in his yardage book about breaks on greens and stuff like that, so he has a really great knowledge of this golf course for sure.”
Scott said he hasn’t spoken to Woods since Woods fired Williams, but he doesn’t think the situation will be awkward whenever he does see Woods.
”This kind of thing happens on the TOUR,” Scott said. “Just because it’s Tiger and Steve, I’m not going to treat it like it’s anything different than anyone else going through this. I don’t have a problem, but if [Woods] has a problem, then he can definitely tell me.”
As for Williams, Scott likes the fact that the New Zealander “pushes him” and conversely Williams has said that he thinks Scott has a lot of good golf in him. That was certainly evident in Thursday’s bogey-free opening round.
“I think he believes in my game, that I can be one of the best players in the world,” Scott said of Williams. “I think he thinks he can help me achieve that, and I believe that, too.
“Everything is very positive and confident with Steve so far, and that’s hopefully rubbing off on me.”
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Maybe the Caddie, Steve Williams is a good influence on Adam Acott. At least it looks that way after the 1st Round….On Top.
Tiger is doing as well as I expected and is somewhere in the middle of the pack.
Maybe Williams and Scott can team up for a few more Majors.
stevie knows this course better than most and knows how it plays. his knowledge and scotts talent has to give them a better than average chance at this tourney.
this should be interesting.
seriously who cares what Tiger thinks?
Adam has been my favorate player since turning pro. This merrage is a blessing. Pound sand cheeta!
Steve Williams is a disloyal poofter who made millions carrying Tiger’s bag and washing his balls. Nobody ever made as much money caddying as this ungrateful poofter did.
I say pound sand poofter, you’ll never make that kind of money again.
I guess Steve showed Tiger a thing or two. While Steve was shooting 8 under par Tiger was merely 2 under.
to Sunday_Money,
No need for you to go all homophobic on Stevie, he happens to be the good guy remember!!
Yes he made a lot of money from his time with Tiger, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make a lot with any of the other very good golfers out there. Remember before Tiger he caddied for Ray Floyd and Greg Norman and has had a great deal of success with both of these fine gentlemen.
Also Steve has to be the most loyal person out there, if he did know anything of his bosses amorous adventures he certainly kept his mouth shut. So Tiger sacking him after asking to work for Adam Scott and then tiger not liking that, who’s the disloyal one?
Interesting that Adam Scott chose to say “If [Woods] has a problem . . .”, it was Steve Williams who made the snide remarks. I always liked Steve but he could have saved all of that for his book. Best to you Adams but you know you can’t change caddies EVER, right?
@ Sunday_Money … Ummm, I guess you’re another one of Tiger Woods many Sheep Worshippers right??? Stevie Williams was “disloyal”?? What are you talking about friend? He was with Tiger Woods for over 12 years, won 73 tournaments, including 13 of Tigers 14 majors with him, he was fired via Tiger Wood’s Twitter. And STEVIE is the one who was “DISLOYAL”??? What about Tiger Woods claiming to be good friends with Williams, so much so he was best man at Tiger’s wedding??? And what? Because Tiger Woods’ game is declining he has to blame EVERYONE in sight??? Why not blame himself? He is finished, has been, hasta la vista baby! And good riddance I say!
WOW!!!
WIll someone take my RESUME for Tiger’s Caddy?
@ Sunday_Money … You mention the money Stevie Williams earned with Tiger Woods, I heard it was somewhere in the region of 20 million dollars, sure this is an astranomical sum, but surely that comes with caddying for the greatest player since Jack Nicklaus??? Tiger Woods has always been stuck up, arrogant, petulant, he spits, shouts and swears. He is always sarcastic in his interviews the very first thing he says every time. And don’t get me started on that FARCE of an “interview” after the Sunday at this year’s Masters.
I think Stevie Williams move to Adam Scott is a great one. Adam, still a raw talent, Tiger Woods at the Autumn of his career. I honestly believe TW will never win a Major ever again. He is simply too mechanical nowadays, puts too much gym work in and it’s taken it’s toll on his body. And lets not forget he is in his mid 30s now. His body can’t take this for much longer. And to be honest. Good. I want to see some of the other many great golfers out there instead of Woods walking for 100 yards.
AND I HAVE TO GET THIS POINT IN AND I’M SURE MANY OTHER PEOPLE AGREE WITH IT;
AND ONCE AGAIN THE TV NETWORKS IN AMERICA SHOW TIGER WOODS AND ONLY TIGER WOODS. THEY SHOW HIS SWING ANALYSIS, THEY SHOW HIM ON THE TEE, IN THE FAIRWAYS AND ON THE GREENS. THE EVEN SHOW HIM EATING AN ENERGY BAR, DRINKING SOME JUICE AND WALKING FOR 100 YARDS. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THIS FARCE.
RYO ISHIKAWA, RICKIE FOWLER, 2 OF THE BRIGHTEST YOUNG THINGS IN GOLF AT THE MOMENT, SHOOTING UNDER PAR BOTH, YET RECIEVING NEXT TO NOTHING WITH REGARDS TO TELEVISION COVERAGE. AND I AM A BRIT SO HAVE INTEREST IN PLAYERS LIKE MARTIN LAIRD FOR EXAMPLE WHO FINISHED AT 4 UNDER PAR AND I DIDN’T SEE HIM HIT ONE SHOT!
I APPRECIATE TW IS THE BEST SINCE NICKLAUS BUT COME ON NETWORKS IN AMERICA, THERE ARE MANY OTHER PLAYERS OUT THERE BUSTING THEIR GUTS TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM TOO!!!
I AM ROOTING FOR ADAM SCOTT TO WIN THIS CHAMPIONSHIP JUST TO SHOVE IT IN TIGER WOODS FACE. HE FIRED A MAN HE HAD VIRTUALLY HIS ENTIRE SUCCESS WITH. AND FOR PEOPLE LIKE SUNDAY_MONEY TO CALL WILLIAMS DISLOYAL WHEN HE WAS WITH TIGER FOR OVER A DECADE, WENT TO HIS WEDDING AS HIS BEST MAN AND HIS THANKS FOR ALL THIS IS LOSING HIS JOB VIA TWITTER, THAT IS WRONG.
WHY BLAME STEVIE WILLIAMS FOR HIS COMMENTS? I FOR ONE DONT BLAME HIM ONE BIT. TIGER WOODS IS LOSING HIS GAME AND HIS MIND! HE IS BLAMING EVERYONE AROUND HIM WHEN HE SHOULD BE BLAMING HIMSELF. FOR GOODNESS SAKES, THE MAN WAS TOLD VIA TWITTER, NOT BY PHONE OR FACE TO FACE THAT HE WAS LOSING HIS JOB, WHY ON EARTH SHOULD STEVIE WILLIAMS BE HAPPY???
O/K CHILDREN LET’S SETTLE DOWN. sean why would you put fuel on the fire, you know the guys a goose, but your comments are no better.i use to think tiger was the next immortal one but after reading your post ,im glad to know he is human like us after all.anyway im on here because im adam scott biggest critic but unlike others i prefer to do my talking whilst there on top .unlike gail and her crew ,lined up to collect of rory after 3 ROUNDS AT MASTERS,this is a WARNING don’t jump in the que just yet,i expect and predict the guy to choke but don’t let me put of you adam lovers from having a bet as the more you put on the better the price of mine,which at this stage im not sure?maybee j/day ,tiger,westy.cheer’s
if tiger and steve would have never met tiger would have made the hundreds of millions he has made and steve would have continued making maybe say 100,000 a yr (which is a good living) but pales into the estimated 20 million he has made. he is definitely the highest paid caddie ever, so steve just say thanks to tiger for making me wealthy and be grateful and move on!!!!
Never give anyone extra incentive to win.
Adam Scott knows the real story about Tiger and Steve parting ways and he is juiced to help Steve throw a little salt in the wounds of Tiger.
Get over it Sean! Can you tell knowbody cares what you think. You have no clue! You just hate Tiger! Ok, we get it! Move on and let it go already!
Stevie is still one arrogant jack ass who thinks he is better than the one whose bag he carries.
I cant believe there are so many busybodies around who are so fond of gossipping about what other people are doing.
One must be gracious to an employer who is a source of rice bowl.People say things they would rather not when angry.So please dont put too much into what Tiger or Steve said during the heat of the moment.These are decent human beings whom have added spice and enjoyment to our living.May God bless them all.
People come and go whether in the office or on the golf course.Many have left their previous employers and still on good terms,and I believe Steve wanted that too.
Sean, please dont shout.
I do agree with you about the huge TV coverage given to Tiger. I get really angry when golf coverage spends ridiculous time showing commentators talking about golf, whilst there is actual play going on. When you finally get to see some action, it is TW eating, walking or drinking. The TV producers must think we are such a shallow lot.
HEY GUYS LETS JUST LET THE GOLF DO THE TALKING, AND” I THOUGHT WOMAN WERE BAD AT BAGGING ”
SCOTTY HAS HIS MIND ON WINNING THIS GOLF TOURMANENT AND IF STEVE CAN HELP HIM SO BE IT, ADAM NEEDS DIRECTION AND STEVE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB, GO FOR IT ADAM.
HEY SEAN, hold on, pall!! Take it easy! That guy owes you nothing! And the other guy will give you nothing!! They are the rich ones, not us! But at least be a litle more correct: Tiger spoke “face to face” with Stevie at AT&T, so he didn’t fired him via twitter, as you wrote! He let “you” know via twitter!!As for Fowler, Yshikawa and a lot of others: they need at least to win a tournament first, so they get some attention and some tv time! And it’s clearly worse all the talk and hint and bytes about Fowler who is yet to win a tournament than for TW who has won a ton! I expect one of these days TW will quote E. J. Robinson in “Cincinaty Kid”: “you’re good kids, you are really good! But as long as I’m in town (that’s saying, as far as you don’t win 70 of those), you’re all second best!” ;))
Nice John S.! I like it!
Well, it’s all good that we got together for this little locker room chat about TW, AS, SW, RF and the other. Sean you have some points but you’re like a WWII bomb over London just exploding anywhere for no good reason. First sponsorship dictate who will be seen on your television, second the pga tour rating has been in a decline for 18 months with all of yours and others favorite and one round with TW its up huge amount in one day. If you don’t want to watch some of your lease favorite players buy a 5 day pass at a pga event and follow the player of your choice. Please don’t be mad at someone for complicating things like swing a club or carry a bag for a pro like AS or the like. Sean help out in a soup kitchen during tournament time to minimize your anger issue. For goodness enjoy life it a games.
This is a double edged sword, I don’t think Tiger would have won half the tournaments without Steve on the bag. Tiger fed off of Steve’s aggressiveness and vice versa, that’s why Tiger got rid of Fluff, not aggressive enough.
If Adam and Steve win this week it will prove my thoughts.
Tiger would have been about the same as Phil, Ernie or VJ. Just another average superstar.
.
Thank you John S. I was thinking the same thing. Saved me some typing.
Hold on VJ, TW has won his events because he was very very very good. Steve was there and certainly did a fine job, but not enough for half of TWs wins. Adam has always had a great swing as we all know. His use of the long putter has put him up where he now is. This will be the foundation of any success he has. If Steve helps it will be to minimise the problem Hao is aware of – last round choking.
Poll Question! Responses welcome! Would it be awkward if it were Woods and Scott in the final group on Sunday battling for the tournament?
Tim – it would not be a problem. Even if the split was bitter, they HAVE to move on to play on the tour. It also will not occur. TW will not be in the final group.
Tim, I think it would be awkward for Bryon and Adam than tw and Steve. I think that it might motivate Tiger and throw Scott a little a’kilter.
Tiger and Steve are experienced and seasoned professionals. Adam and Bryon are comparatively still kids on tour.
Seff, a golfer is only as good as his caddie. The Caddie should be the reflection of the golfer. Steve is aggressive and full of testosterone (same as Tiger) and that pumped Tiger up, Fluff was unable to do that.
Bones and Phil great match, Fluff and Furyk great match.
I call Steve and Tiger the “Steriod Brothers”. Wait until his book comes out????
At last Adam Scott is showing his world class potential – not only looking confident, but relaxed on the course.
I have followed Adam for the past 4 years and have made a few pennies with his results, but he has not performed!
I consider that he and the other Aussies will now have their day with a win in the States and hopefully better results all round.
Wish adam well with this competition and expect to see him collect the Bridgestone Trophy!!!!!
No negative comments allowed and Steve Williams is the correct choice of a caddie for his style of Golf.
Dustin Johnson can also learn from Adam, if he stops strutting around the greens – he also has the ability to be a higher ranked player so wish him well also. He is an enormous hitter when he wishes, so let him calm down and hit the greens.
regards
John M
Tiger got rid of Fluff because Fluff was becoming a celebrity of his own admittedly off of Tiger’s fame and Tiger perceived, paranoidly I’d add, that as not being fully committed to him. Same thing with Butch. Tiger has a narcissistic personality.
stevie,
doesnt it feel great
working for a non perv?
You bet it does!
VJ, I see where you are coming from, but I think you are overstating the caddie contribution. A golfer is only as good as his skills, focus and temperament. His caddie must compliment these qualities to enable the player to achieve his best. The caddie does not make the golfer. If you think so put Steve with a middle of the road player, who he gets on well with, and watch the difference. TW was a phenomenon before Steve, and can be great after Steve.
@Hao
Take a Class Man!!!
Do You freaks have
ANY idea how many
WINS Steve Williams
has as you have been
sitting on your
voluminous arses with
a remote control in
your hand?. . . .
@Tim
…it ALWAYS eventually
turns out …that way,
you can NOT escape it….
…and YES it IS awkward!
I sure hope some of you will not breed, please do not pass on your gene pool. Adam is a great talent along with numerous others out there. For alll of you who think these guys are choir boys get real, I have a friend on tour and sevral on mini tours. Stick a camera and mic in all their face for every shot and you will hear some choice words and un-PGA like behavior. Go bacck and watch “Leave it To Beaver” if you want to live in fantasy land.
Not TW’s fault media shows him more than most, great thing about golf lowest score wins. When Adam, Rory, Ricky and the others get 70+ wins, 14 majors maube they will get more attention they probably will regret getting. If you dont like watching TW change the channel and quit whinning.
Keep believing some of your so called family oriented, fan friendly heros are so saintly. people like you made PT Barnum rich! Good luck to all pro golfer and may the best player this week win who ever it may be. Get a life.
Well 20yrs, now that you have insulted us, and assumed that only you have played the game, do you have a point.
I didn’t say middle of the road player I said the “Average superstar” like Phil, Ernie or VJ.
No biggie, have a good weekend and goooooo Adam!!!
Sean, calm down, don’t get such a big boner over that matter. You sound like a food because you don’t even have your facts straight. Tiger talked man to man to Stevie about his decision. Stevie going to caddie for Adam Scott was a bold statement in itself. What would happen if Rafael Nadal’s coach/best man/best friend, went and coached Djokivic as soon as Nadal was injured for a few weeks….enough said. Point made. Tiger firing Stevie was completely understandable and I think Tiger is trying his best to put his past in the past and part of it may be cutting old ties to regain a fresh start. Thoughts?
and by food i mean FOOL!!!
VJ, you can’t seriously think Woods wold only have won 3 or 4 majors if Williams hadn’t been his caddy? I don’t like Woods, I think he’s past his prime and good riddance to him. But I also know he was one of the two or three greatest golfers to ever play the game, with or without Steve Williams on his bag. I also have to believe that Woods will win again but if he doesn’t, he’ll quit trying and retire before he’s 40.
Anyway, good for Williams and Scott if they work well together then good for them. Caddy’s come and go and Woods letting Williams go in about as significant as any other employer allowing their employee to leave. It’s not like Williams wasn’t working.
One more thought, just because Williams made good money while with Woods it doesn’t make him an indentured servant. If you make good money with a company it doesn’t mean that you are somehow obligated to stay with them until retirement. I’m certain it was the right decision to move on for both of them.