The golfing world was left reeling yesterday after caddie Steve Williams made a racist remark about his former boss Tiger Woods at an awards dinner.
New Zealander Williams called Woods a “black arsehole” during the annual caddies’ awards at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
He made the extraordinary outburst when asked about his controversial celebrations following a victory by his new employer, Australian Adam Scott, at the Bridgestone Invitational in August.
Photo: AFP
Williams, who was sacked by Woods in July after being at the former world No. 1’s side for 13 of his 14 major championship titles, described Scott’s victory as the “best win of my career.”
Addressing the room after being handed a tongue-in cheek “celebration of the year” gong, Williams, 47, shocked players, fellow caddies and sponsors by saying: “It was my aim to shove it right up that black arsehole.”
Williams later issued an apology on his kiwicaddy.co.nz Web site.
“I apologise for comments I made last night,” he said in the statement.
“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.”
Nevertheless there were calls in the British media for Williams to be sacked by world No. 8 Scott and thrown out of the game.
Scott was among a clutch of top 10 players, including Rory McIlroy, among the 100-strong audience listening to Williams’ comments in the banquet hall.
Scott, 31, teed off yesterday with Williams at his side as the storm around his caddy’s comments gathered strength and moved up to joint first with Swede Freddie Jacobson on 12-under during the first nine of the third round.
Officials at the WGC-HSBC Champions, Asia’s flagship event sanctioned by the PGA and European tours, were said to be -embarrassed by Williams’ slur, but were keeping silent on the scandal.
“It was a private function and we will not be making any further comment,” said a press officer from HSBC, the tournament sponsor.
The sanctioning tours refused to make an official comment.
However, a source from one of the tours said: “It’s going to be difficult for Adam Scott if sponsors think he has a racist carrying his bag.”
Williams is known for his outspokenness and gruff personality. Previously, at another private function, he called Phil Mickelson a “right prick,” and he has made a series of backbiting remarks about Woods since their split.
He made an estimated US$3 million during his career with Woods and remained loyal during the legend’s notorious sex scandal.
SIBLING RIVALRY: Marc Marquez was locked in a duel with his little brother, falling behind at one point before recovering for his first season-opening victory since 2014 Six-time world champion Marc Marquez yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening Thailand Grand Prix to complete a dominant debut weekend at his new Ducati Lenovo Team, having also romped to Saturday’s sprint. The Spanish great took the 26-lap grand prix by 1.732 seconds for his 63rd MotoGP victory from younger brother Alex Marquez, who is still seeking a first checkered flag, with Francesco Bagnaia third to complete an all-Ducati podium. It completed a perfect weekend for Marc Marquez, who took pole position, the sprint victory and the grand prix win for a maximum 37 points to open the 22-leg 2025 campaign. He led from
AC Milan’s slender hopes of reaching next season’s UEFA Champions League took another hit on Thursday with a 2-1 defeat at Bologna which left them eight points from Serie A’s top four. Sergio Conceicao’s team sit eighth, some way behind fourth-placed Juventus after losing an entertaining contest at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, a match which was rescheduled from October last year due to torrential rain and flooding. Swathes of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, much of which is fertile agricultural land, had been left under water following a massive autumn downpour. Dan Ndoye prodded home the decisive goal in the 82nd minute
VALUABLE POINT: Relegation-threatened Valencia snatched a thrilling 3-3 draw at CA Osasuna thanks to a remarkable backheel volley by Umar Sadiq Barcelona on Sunday secured a comfortable 4-0 win over Real Sociedad to move back top of La Liga. Aritz Elustondo’s early red card gave Hansi Flick’s side a comfortable afternoon, with Gerard Martin, Marc Casado, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski on the score sheet. Atletico Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday to temporarily knock the Catalans from their perch, while Real Madrid, third, lost at Real Betis Balompie. Flick was able to rotate his side a little ahead of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 visit to face SL Benfica tomorrow and still move one point above Atletico. “There were a lot of things that
Former Australian motorcycle gang member-turned-golfer Ryan Peake, who served a lengthy jail term for assault, yesterday produced a “life-changing” maiden win to qualify for The Open Championship. Peake held his nerve for a one-stroke victory at the New Zealand Open, earning him a berth at the major in Portrush, Northern Ireland, in July, pending clearance to travel as a convicted criminal. The 31-year-old from Perth celebrated animatedly and was showered with champagne by friends on the 18th green of the Millbrook Resort course near Queenstown after a redemption story rarely seen in the refined sport of golf. Peake held back tears as he
RSS