Tiger Woods’ ex-bagman forced to say sorry for dinner quip

Steve Williams received a mock award on Friday night for “Celebration of the Year” for his TV interview after his new paymaster, Adam Scott, won the Bridgestone Invitational. That was the day Williams said it was “the best win of his life”, despite being on the bag with Woods for 13 majors. At an awards party filled with banter, Williams said of his interview: “It was my aim to shove it right up that black arsehole.”

That line drew the biggest reaction at a party attended by several players, caddies, officials and some media. There was a mixture of laughter and shock, with some players turning to each other with eyes widened and jaws agape.

The provision of the party is that all comments are off the record, yet several caddies couldn’t stop talking about it long after it was over.

Approached early the next morning at breakfast, Williams was stunned to learn that British news outlets were running the story. “Why would they do that?” he said. “The whole thing was meant to be fun.”

Hours later, Williams posted an apology on his website.

“I apologise for comments I made last night at the Annual Caddy Awards dinner in Shanghai,” he said. “Players and caddies look forward to this evening all year, and the spirit is always joking and fun. I now realise how my comments could be construed as racist. However, I assure you that was not my intent. I sincerely apologise to Tiger and anyone else I’ve offended.”

Woods was in Australia, though it didn’t take long for the comments to get back to him.

“I was with Tiger last night when he heard the news,” Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports Management, said. “We got multiple calls from people who sounded like they were leaving the caddie party. Tiger obviously wasn’t there. He doesn’t know exactly what was said. But if multiple reports – which all seem to be accurate – are true, then it’s sad it’s come down to this. It’s a regrettable comment, and there’s really nothing that Tiger can do or say. He’s just going to move on.”

Woods had Williams on his bag for the last 13 of his 14 major victories, but dispensed with his services three months ago.

Scott said he was satisfied with Williams’ apology and that his comments were not reported in the right spirit of the evening. When asked if Williams should be fired, Scott said: “I disagree with that. Everything in that room last night was all in good spirits and a bit of fun, probably taken out of that room in the wrong context,” Scott said after a 69 kept him within three shots of the lead at the HSBC Championsat the Sheshen International Club in Shanghai.

“Look, anything with Tiger involved is a story. I value Steve’s contributions to my game and having him on the bag.”

Scott also said it was foolish to suggest Williams was racist. “We all know that’s not the case,” he said.

It’s not the first time Williams has been in trouble. Three years ago at a dinner in New Zealand, he made a disparaging remark about Phil Mickelson. Williams said that was meant in fun, though Woods made him apologise to Mickelson.

Even though Williams said his comments on Friday night were meant in fun, there was no disguising the animosity Williams feels over getting fired this summer.

Woods and Scott are to be in the same group this week at the Australian Open, and there’s a chance that they also could face off at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne the week after.

Scott said he was simply in the middle of two people who apparently don’t like each other.

“Shall I gave Steve a rough over the knuckles? He issued a statement. I think that’s the right thing to do. What more should he say? What more can I say? He’s apologised, and he’s done the right thing.”

Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell was present when Williams spoke and said: “The comments were surprising, yes. I would doubt severely if he meant it racially like it came over.”

He added: “I kind of feel bad for him in many ways because, like I say, it was a very humorous evening and it’s unfortunate that it’s come out as negatively as it did...He was up in front of his peers and colleagues and it came out wrong.”