USA TODAY International Edition
Tiger’s former caddie defends ‘ slave’ usage
Woods’ ex- bagman says term in book taken out of context
Steve Williams says words in autobiography were taken out of context
Caddie Steve Williams said he had no idea using the word “slave” in his new autobiography to describe his relationship at times with Tiger Woods would trigger a storm of controversy that has spanned the globe.
After a New Zealand newspaper published an excerpt from his book, Out of the Rough, 10 days ago in which Williams said at times he felt he was treated “like I was his slave” while working for Woods, Williams has been heavily criticized.
In an email to USA TODAY Sports, Williams, who worked with Woods for 13 years and was on the bag when the former No. 1 won 13 of his 14 majors, defended his choice of words.
“In this part of the world where slavery has never existed, people use slave as a description of their service or work every day,” Williams wrote Wednesday while on tour promoting the book in New Zealand. “We use the word loosely Down Under. After reviewing the book several times before it was published, it never crossed my mind to change the word.
“It merely was a description of how I felt about something, and in no way in the context it was used does it suggest I was treated like a slave.”
In the autobiography, Williams, 51, who also caddied for Raymond Floyd and Greg Norman and is working part time with Adam Scott, was critical of Woods’ on- course behavior.
“He was well known for his bad temper, and, while that wasn’t pleasant to witness, you could live
with it because it ended as quickly as it started,” he wrote in the book.
“But he had other bad habits that upset me. One thing that really pissed me off was how he would flippantly toss a club in the general direction of the bag, expecting me to go over and pick it up. I felt uneasy about bending down to pick up his discarded club, it was like I was his slave.” UNWRITTEN RULE As social media clobbered Williams, some of his colleagues and some players also took umbrage with Williams for using the word “slave” and breaking the unwritten rule of confidentiality between player and caddie.
“When I read it, the word slave is just too much,” 2014 FedExCup champion Billy Horschel said. “You shouldn’t ever compare yourself to something that has such a negative connotation. And if he was upset because Tiger threw some clubs, and this and that, he’s just making too big a thing about it.
“There is so much stuff on or off the course that happens, and you just don’t write stuff,” said Horschel, who admits he has thrown some clubs. “We’re in the heat of the moment. If a caddie wants to take that personally, then I don’t want that caddie on my bag.
“You spend so much time with one person inside the ropes, that person who is right next to you in the heat of the moment for hours, of course things are going to happen. But I think what happens there stays there. I think it just looks bad. ...
“But for the book to have success, Tiger has to be in it. I don’t think any books on golf would do well if it wasn’t for Tiger.”
Gary Matthews, who has caddied for 16 years alongside Tim Clark, Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim, Sergio Garcia, D. H. Lee, Trevor Immelman and now Carlos Ortiz, also was critical of Williams.
“There are a lot more caddies who have been abused or treated unfairly at times that won’t ever call themselves slaves,” Matthews said. “Have I gone through bad times and been abused? Sure I have. It goes with the territory. You are the closest person to the guy, in the heat of the moment, and stuff happens. You spend so many hours inside the ropes with them, there will be times stuff happens. How can it not?”
Despite the perceived breach of conduct by the caddie, Matthews and others say Williams is still employable. Williams made somewhere between $ 8 million to $ 12 million caddying for Woods, according to estimates from those inside the sport.
“He shouldn’t get fired over this,” Matthews said. “He’s voicing his opinion. Caddies don’t voice their opinion as much as they probably should, but I’m old school and I think everything should stay in- house.”
One caddie who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue agreed, adding there isn’t an unwritten rule but everyone in the sport knows better than to air an employer’s dirty laundry.
At the PGA Tour stop last week in Shanghai, Scott told reporters he hadn’t read the book but didn’t expect it to be a distraction.
Williams told the Australian Associated Press last week that he was disappointed his publishers chose to excerpt the chapter in which the slave reference was used, saying it was “one word, one sentence, out of the whole book.”
He added that the word could have been changed when writing the book. ‘ HUNG OUT TO DRY’ It wasn’t the only compelling detail that Williams shared in the book, which for the most part is an insightful, analytical and entertaining tome that gives the reader a rare look into the workings of a caddie and his relationship with his player.
Williams wrote he was “hung out to dry” by Woods and his agent, Mark Steinberg, when Woods’ extramarital affairs be- came public in 2009 and 2010. Williams wrote he had no idea of Woods’ infidelities, but he and his wife, Kirsty, were harassed by people when he wasn’t cleared by Woods or his management of any involvement in the scandal.
But for the most part Williams provides fascinating and interesting detail of the ABCs of being a caddie; his first loop was for his father in New Zealand. He praises Woods throughout the book, highlighting his talent, focus, drive and genius to perform under pressure. Woods was Williams’ best man at his 2005 wedding.
Williams also writes about his days working for Peter Thomson, Norman, Floyd and Scott. And there are many detailed moments of important shots inside the ropes by his bosses.
“It was an honor to be asked to write a book, and I’m pleased the way it turned out,” Williams told USA TODAY Sports. “The reviews from those who read the book are very positive. ... The book provides a rare insight into the life of a caddie and what it involves.
“As a youngster growing up in New Zealand, I wanted to get on those amazing courses I’d see on the news from America, and my story is proof that anything is possible if you put all the pieces of the puzzle together.”