Tiger Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams has admitted that comments he made about the American golfer could be construed as racist. Hours after the incident at a caddie awards dinner in Shanghai on Friday night, Williams – who was sacked by the former world number one during the summer – issued an apology on his website. “I apologise for comments I made last night,” stated the 47-year-old New Zealander, who had told the audience at the dinner that the aim of his celebration when Adam Scott won a World Golf Championship event in August was “to shove it right up that black a*******”. Continuing his statement, Williams 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 have offended.”
Williams’ apology appears good enough – for the time being at least – to keep him in his current job with Australian Scott, who described it as “not as issue for me” and also said he did not think Williams is a racist. Scott said: “Steve issued a statement and apologised and he did the right thing. That’s all there is to say about that from my side of things. “It’s not an issue for me. I think everything in that room last night was all in good spirits and a bit of fun, and I think it probably got taken out of that room in the wrong context. “Anything with Tiger involved is a story. I value Steve’s contribution to my game and while he’s caddying I hope he can caddie for me. “There was a lot of language used last night and it’s just this was reported. “I don’t really think that stuff has ever left the room before and it’s probably good reasons why. I think it’s probably all very unnecessary.”
Asked if he thought Williams was a racist, he replied: “I don’t think so. I think we all know that’s not the case.” Scott also said he had not felt the need to confront Williams about the issue. “It was already dealt with,” he said. “It’s been dealt with as far as I’m concerned. “I thought it was all in jest. That’s how the whole evening was – everything was quite amusing. “Those things are not meant to go past that room, but obviously somebody took it out and that’s the way it goes. “There’s really no safe haven for what you say and so you’ve got to be careful.” The world number eight does not believe it will make life more awkward for him over the coming two weeks when he and Woods will be in direct opposition at the Australian Open in Sydney and then the Presidents Cup in Melbourne. “I don’t think it makes it harder for me – I don’t think I’m the guy that’s having a finger pointed at or on the receiving end,” said Scott. “I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong. “I’m the guy stuck in the middle, but I don’t really have a gripe with either guy. It’s for them to sort out between themselves.”
Woods is already in Australia and was told about the remark. His agent Mark Steinberg was reported as saying: “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.”
Graeme McDowell was present when Williams spoke and said: “The comments were surprising, yes. “I’m aware that he’s released a statement this morning apologising. I would doubt severely if he meant it racially like it came over and, you know, hopefully his apology will in some shape or form settle the matter. “We don’t want something made out of nothing. It was a fun night and we really hope that it doesn’t become too big of an issue. “These are racially sensitive times, especially in sport. It’s unfortunate because it was a very sticky situation. “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. “I don’t think Stevie Williams was trying to be racial. I don’t think it was a racial comment. I think he was trying to be funny and make a joke of it. “It was an embarrassing situation that he was put in. He was up in front of his peers and colleagues and it came out wrong.”
It is not the first time Williams has overstepped the mark in a public address. Three years ago at a dinner in his home country he made a disparaging remark about Phil Mickelson and Woods got him to apologise.
