Tiger's hunger changed caddy's life

STEVE Williams, caddy to Tiger Woods, has spoken of how close his boss was to quitting the US Tour and coming to play in Europe instead.

It happened in the Showdown at Sherwood, a day and night, made-for-television match with Sergio Garcia in 1999. It was, explained Williams, a hot, sticky night outside Los Angeles and the caddies were told to wear pants.

"That's ridiculous," reacted Williams, a typical, straight-talking New Zealander.

"It's too hot."

The official turned to Woods and insisted: "If your caddy doesn't put on pants, then you are not playing."

Tiger didn't flinch: "That's fine then, I ain't playing."

The man in the blazer also stood his ground and retorted: "If you don't play, then you won't play the Tour ever again."

And Tiger came back: "Okay, then I'll go and play in Europe."

Needless to say, Tiger played and Williams wore shorts!

Tiger's support for "Stevie" exemplifies the close relationship between the two men. Player and caddy don't normally socialise, but Woods and Williams are seen frequently in each other's company. Being around one of the greatest sportsman in the world has changed the Kiwi's attitude to life.

"I've always taken care of myself but working with him, I've seen a different dimension," Williams said.

"He introduced me to weight lifting. I never went into a gym before Tiger, but he put me on a routine during the World Cup in Malaysia.

I grew accustomed to it and now I'm stronger and don't get as tired. As for Tiger, I don't think anybody works harder. Some players might hit more balls, others lift more weights or run more miles, but all-round Tiger tops the lot. Maybe that's why we get on so well. We're both confident in what we do. If Tiger asks me what I think, I'm going to tell him."

Woods also looks at the support he receives from his man in a positive light: "Without Stevie, I wouldn't have won the US PGA Championship in 2000. I was just about to play an iron at the 12th at Valhalla when he called me off the shot.

"The wind had changed suddenly and he told me to hit it harder than we had planned. He had the guts to do that and I listened because I respect him so much."

The great irony in the Woods-Williams relationship is that the caddy planned to be retired by now and racing cars in New Zealand. Williams had worked for many high-profile players including Greg Norman and Raymond Floyd and felt he had enough when the word went around that Woods had fired Fluff Cowan.

"It was a job to kill for," Williams said.

"Butch Harmon, Tiger's coach, made the first approach. I was shocked.

When I'm out there with him, I'm like a kind of marshal. Every hole, every shot, I'm looking for cameras, cell phones, all the things that can be a distraction. And people are so obsessed with autographs. That's where manners go out the window. When you hear 'please', it's very rare. It's usually 'gimme this' or 'gimme that'. The nice kids who genuinely want an autograph get trampled.

"As for his safety, I don't worry. But if I had to, I'd drop the bag and go after someone."

At a super-fit 6 ft 1 1/2 inches and 15 stone, he can certainly make his presence felt!

He claims he is rarely bothered in a non-golfing situation and that's the way he likes it.

When I'm asked to sign autographs, I reply: 'I'm just a caddy.' People think I'm low-profile because that's what Tiger wants. I was that way before Tiger. A guy once offered me $10,000 to get Tiger to sign golfballs. Tiger doesn't sign golfballs. Most requests to use me to get to Tiger, I cut off before they start".

Cagey is a word applicable to Steve Williams, who responds in predictable fashion to whether Woods will ever lose his hunger.

"He really loves to play. I can't answer what a wife and children would mean to Tiger."