Williams still wants Tiger to catch Jack
The pair’s split may have been acrimonious but Steve Williams would love to see Tiger Woods chase down Jack Nicklaus’ major record.
And Woods’ former caddie believes the American superstar could kick-start that chase by winning this week’s Masters at Augusta.
Since his return from back-fusion surgery, Woods has shown the skills that took him to the top of the golfing world and to 14 major titles.
Williams, who was on Woods’ bag for three of his four Masters victories, said Augusta was a course where experience was incredibly important and Woods had that in spades.
‘‘Sometimes you can get to a place like that and it can inspire you, it’s an amazing place and amazing tournament,’’ he said.
‘‘It wouldn’t shock me at all if Tiger won because he can draw on all his past experiences there.
‘‘It would be a huge surprise in the scheme of things given that six months ago he couldn’t swing a club, it would be amazing, but no player has done more surprising things.
‘‘He’s the greatest player ever and a win at Augusta wouldn’t surprise me at all.’’
When Woods won his last major in 2008, putting him four behind Nicklaus, the consensus was that he would easily chase down the major record. But injuries, the scandal and more injuries have derailed that chase.
However, should Woods claim another major title then it would be back on in earnest.
Williams believes the number of good players in the game now means none will dominate like Woods did at his peak.
‘‘Look at Rory McIlroy who is in good form and all the talk is about whether he and Jordan Spieth can get the grand slam.
‘‘Even as great at they are, particularly Rory, the talk about them is whether they can win all four majors.
‘‘So realistically Tiger is the only guy who is ever going to have that chance to break Jack’s record.
‘‘I think it would be awesome if could break that record, knowing I was on his bag for 13 of those it would be fantastic.’’
Woods has showed before that he can turn up to Augusta with little preparation and play well – he finished fourth in 2010 in his first competitive outing after taking a break to deal with the fallout from his marital infidelities becoming public knowledge.
After two top 10s this year on courses he doesn’t know well, the scene is set for him to make another run at the Masters.
‘‘Some courses you can know all you need to know in just two rounds but Augusta the more times you play the more knowledge you have – every time you play there you learn something more,’’ Williams said. ‘‘Tiger knows how to play that course, he understands when to attack and when not to attack.’’
That experience is why Fred Couples seems to contend every year despite being well into his 50s.
What could hold Woods back is his driver. He knocked himself out of contention at Bay Hill when he blew a ball out of bounds on the 16th in his final round.
While his swing speed seems to be fully restored, his accuracy off the tee has not been good (202nd on tour) despite not pulling out a driver a lot.
‘‘You have to drive the ball well at Augusta to win, especially on the back nine,’’ Williams said.
‘‘Fifteen is an eagle hole if you hit a good drive, 17 you must hit a good drive and 18 too.’’
Despite believing Woods has a good chance at Augusta, Williams isn’t tipping him to win.
‘‘If I was a betting person I would be going with Henrik Stenson, he will be hard to beat.’’