JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – Tiger Woods said Wednesday he was surprised by caddie Steve Williams’ controversial reaction to winning with Adam Scott Sunday at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but Woods said he sent a congratulatory message to his former caddie.
“I was happy to see Stevie and Adam win,” Woods said. “Adam has been a friend of mine, and same with Stevie. I sent Stevie a nice text after play, congratulating him on his win. It was good to see them go out there and play as well as they did.”
Williams, on Woods’ bag for 13 major championship triumphs, took an obvious dig at Woods after the victory, calling it the best win of his caddying career. Woods fired Williams in July.
“Sometimes we all need changes, and this was a change, and as I told you guys earlier, I was at peace with it, and it was a decision and a direction I wanted to go, and that’s it,” Woods said.
A photograph was released Tuesday showing Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, speaking with Williams at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Woods was asked about the nature of the meeting.
“They talked, yeah, you are right,” Woods said without elaborating.
Woods was asked if Steinberg was relaying a specific message for him, or if he has communicated with Williams.
“That is between Stevie and myself,” Woods said.
Woods was also asked if he thought Williams was being disloyal with his comments.
“I’m not going to speculate on Steve,” Woods said. “Those are obviously his feelings and his emotions and his decision to say what he wants to say.”