“You know that he believes in himself, that at some point he can stand on the first tee of a major championship and feel that he is fully fit to compete for 72 holes and that he’s done the practice to do that,” Steve Williams, Tiger Woods‘s former caddie, said about Woods’s confidence as he faces his latest setback, a new Achilles tendon issue. Despite their contentious past, Williams has consistently admired Woods’s dedication to golf and remains confident that his former boss still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Williams even dismissed speculation that Woods is nearing the end of his career, saying “no chance” and asserting that the golfer has more wins left in him. Speaking on the latest episode of Dom Harvey’s YouTube channel, Steve Williams reflected on his remarkable 50-year career as a caddie, which has seen him work with some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, and Adam Scott.
As he looked back on his incredible journey, Williams noted that his experiences with Woods and Norman were particularly intense, with both players having an “absolute determination to win” that put a lot of pressure on himself. “I’ve the players that I’ve caddied for have all been very intense players and guys with absolute determination to win and that puts pressure on yourself,” Williams said.
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He recalled the high-stakes environment of working with Woods but also shared that his time with Scott was a welcome change of pace. In contrast, Williams described his time working with Adam Scott as a more relaxed and enjoyable experience, saying “Adam’s a little bit more laid-back… um, you know, wants to do well, but it’s not the end of the world if he didn’t do well.”
via Getty
VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: (EDITORS NOTE: This Image Is Part Of A Swing Sequence) Adam Scott of Australia plays his second shot on the ninth hole, frame 3 of 10, during day one of the BMW PGA Championship 2024 at Wentworth Club on September 19, 2024 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Williams also shared stories about his early days as a caddie, starting at just 15 years old and going on to have an incredible journey that spanned five decades. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged the long years of dedication, success, and the path he took, like, leaving school early to pursue his dream. It doesn’t come as a surprise that Williams likes Scott’s company on the greens as it certainly shows in his gameplay.
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Adam Scott’s historic Masters win thanks to Steve Williams
As Scott drained his legendary birdie putt on 18 at Augusta in 2013, the skies unleashed a downpour. Ever prepared, Williams threw on his rain jacket as they roared in celebration. The best part? Williams later strutted around in his soaked gear, beaming like a proud dad.
Then, the 2013 Masters will always be remembered as Adam Scott‘s win and his culmination of years of hard work. But the victory turned sweeter with the partnership he shared with caddie, Steve Williams. Scott has always spoken highly of Williams, and it’s clear that their partnership was a match made in heaven. “That was the beauty of Steve. There is no doubt about his delivery of advice,” Scott said, reflecting on their time together at Augusta National.
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One of the most iconic moments of their partnership came on the winning putt, where Williams’ expertise and confidence proved instrumental in Scott’s success. “We’d done our usual routine and I said (to Steve), I think it’s a cup (outside the hole).” Williams said, ‘Adam, this is two cups.’ ‘Are you sure?’ I asked. ‘It is absolutely two cups, it breaks a lot’,” Scott recalled, highlighting the trust and confidence he had in Williams’ expertise. It’s amazing to think about how much of a difference Williams’ advice made in that moment.
But what’s even more impressive is the way Williams kept Scott grounded, even amid celebration. Scott shared a hilarious story on the No Laying Up Podcast, where Williams told him, “This isn’t over yet,” as they walked off the green. It’s a testament to the dedication that Williams brought to their partnership. With his Masters victory, Scott cemented his place in golf, and his partnership with Williams remains one of the most iconic in the sport. What do you think made their partnership so special? Let us know in the comment section below!
