OUTSPOKEN CADDY Steve Williams says former employer Tiger Woods has lost his intimidation factor, as the New Zealander revealed he will quit full-time golf this year.
Williams, who was sacked by Woods in 2011 after helping him win all but one of his 14 major titles, added that he had yet to reconcile with the world number one, but hopes to one day.
“There’s just personal things and differences of opinion about how things went down. He thinks one thing and I think another,” Williams, who now carries the bags of Australian world number two Adam Scott, told Fox Sports late Tuesday.
“I need to sort that out with him. But I haven’t had the opportunity sit down with him and iron out a few things, but it will happen at some stage.”
Williams was fired after Woods’ slide down the world rankings following the revelation that the American had a string of extra-marital affairs. Since then, Woods has failed to win another major and Williams said it was because the intimidation factor had gone.
“He doesn’t have the intimidation factor anymore. That was a big thing, guys were quite intimidated by him but there is no intimidation any more. That counts for a lot,” he said.
Williams switched to Scott after his dismissal, and has helped transform him into a major champion and the heir apparent to Woods’s world number one ranking.
But after a career that has also seen him caddy for Greg Norman and Raymond Floyd, Williams said it was time to slow down.
“Adam knows my intentions. He knows that 2014 will be my last year of doing it full-time so he knows that if I’m going to carry on in 2015 it will be on a limited basis,” Williams said.
“So we’re just trying to focus on having the best year that we can in 2014 and then we’ll discuss it at the end of the year.”
Williams said three-and-a-half decades on tour was enough.
“I think it’s my 36th year of continuous caddying, so 36 is a number that’s sort of synonymous with golf,” he said. ”I’ve just turned 50 and I just thought it was the right time. I’ve not had enough of the job, but I’ve certainly had enough of the travelling.
“So at the end of this year I might carry on on a part-time basis or I might quit altogether.”
Will there be a coach left in Leinster next season
Huge blow for Leinster, signings both for playing but also coaching staff needed for next year.
Can’t remember the guys name but there was talk of an AUS scrum coach taking over. He had worked with or is known to MOC. This appointment was known for a whole in any event so I’m sure contingencies were made. It’s not like our top props won’t have access to Feek given their involvement in the Airush panel. It’s disappointing none the less that another key part of recent successes has moved on.
That’s JS Isa BOD Leo JohnnyS Jonno Gibbes all gone over a 2 year period. All were / are key leaders coaches & players. The transition is well & truly on. Whilst there is disappointment with MOCs first season there is some mitigation. Next year is shaping up to be just as tough. Singings are crucial if IRFU allow. But quality in a would cup year will be hard to get. A decent backs / skills coach wouldn’t go astray either.
Patricio Noriega?
Marco Caputo is his likely replacement
Leinster must be the new Connaught, get ahead at all and Leinster get striped of their quality coaching staff. It’s like a bloody pyramid scheme.
I could see Mike Ross making a top class scrum coach in the not too distant future. According to all reports he studies and knows more about that area of the game than any of his peers.
The scrum nerd par excellence, apparently. Still has a year or two left in those legs yet, though
Yep. Hopefully back in his native cork :-)
I think Botha is being lined up for the Cork post.
From an Ireland perspective this is a great move. All four provinces will benefit from this appointment.
balls
Where’s connaught?
Seems to be a top top coach in his specific area.can only benefit the team .
Think Reggie Corrigan is still contracted as a scrum coach