Williams Attracts Much Criticism

Tiger Woods former caddie Steve Williams has come in for stinging criticism from professionals on the tour after using Adam Scott's victory at the Bridegstone Invitational to air grievances against his former employer.

Williams, who has previously caddied for top players including Australian Greg Norman and American Raymond Floyd, was stunned when Woods abruptly decided to end a highly successful relationship dating back to 1999.

The New Zealander was axed after the AT&T National at Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, although the split was not made public until after the July 14-17 British Open to limit any distraction for Scott.

Williams later broke his own silence in an interview with New Zealand television, saying he was "very disappointed" and felt he had wasted two years of his life with Woods having been sidelined for long stretches by leg injuries.

"I was absolutely shocked that I got the boot to be honest with you," Williams, 47, said. "I've caddied for the guy for 12 years, I've been incredibly loyal to the guy and I got short-shrifted."

During the build-up to this week's event at Firestone, where Williams caddies for Scott, Woods explained during a news conference how he had parted company with the New Zealander.

"We had a nice conversation," the 14-time major winner said. "We did it after he completed play at AT&T National up in the boardroom. It was a tough conversation but we said what we needed to say to each other face-to-face and man-to-man."

Williams, who has now been on Scott's bag for four tournaments in a row, disagreed.

"I was told on the phone that we need to take a break and, in caddie lingo, that means you're fired, simple as that," he said.

"At the AT&T the details of why I was fired were discussed, and that's for my own personal stuff."

Many golfers, though, feel Williams has broken the unwritten rules of caddies not talking to the media about the pros, and feel it has distracted from the biggest victory of Scott's career.

The 31-year-old Australian finished four shots ahead of England's world No 1 Luke Donald and young American Rickie Fowler - with Woods a massive 18 strokes behind in 37th place.

Oliver Wilson tweeted: "Cannot believe they have interviewed Steve Williams. Nice of him to take away from Scotty's win. Says it all."