Williams apologises for Woods comment

Tiger Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams has admitted that comments he made last night about the golfer “could be construed as racist”.

Williams, sacked by Woods during the summer, issued an apology on his website after appearing to realise he had overstepped the mark when speaking at a caddie awards dinner in Shanghai.

“I apologise for comments I made last night,” said the 47-year-old New Zealander.

“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, who is now caddie for Adam Scott, will have a chance to apologise in person next week as Woods and Scott are both competing at the Australian Open in Sydney.

His remarks add an extra edge to an event already being billed as “unmissable”, and the pair will also be in opposition at the following week’s Presidents Cup match in Melbourne.

Woods had Williams on his bag for the last 13 of his 14 Major victories between 1999 and 2008, but dispensed with his services before his return from injury at the world championship event in Akron in August.

Williams took great delight when Scott won that week, calling it the “best win of my career”.

Although comments at the caddie awards dinner are normally regarded as off the record, what Williams said shocked many of those present and the story came out.

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.”

Three years ago at a dinner in his home country, Williams made a disparaging remark about Phil Mickelson and Woods got him to apologise.

He has never been the most popular of caddies and his standing has now taken another knock.