Tiger Woods has expressed disappointment over derogatory comments made by his long-time caddie Steve Williams about fellow American golfer Phil Mickelson. World number one Woods said he had dealt with the matter, describing words attributed to Williams in a New Zealand newspaper as "inappropriate".
New Zealander Williams was quoted by the Taranaki Daily News on Saturday as saying: "I wouldn't call Mickelson a great player ... 'cause I hate the p****."
The following day, Williams told the Sunday Star-Times the quote was accurate while adding he was surprised his comments made during a charity event had reached the public.
"I was simply honest and said they (Mickelson and Woods) don't get along," Williams told the newspaper. "You know what it's like. You're at a charity event and you have a bit of fun.
"I don't particularly like the guy (Mickelson) myself. He pays me no respect at all and hence I don't pay him any respect. It' no secret we don' get along either."
In a statement Woods said: "I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect. It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with."
Mickelson's management team had responded 24 hours earlier in reaction to what it said were "grossly inaccurate and irresponsible statements" made by Williams.
"After seeing Steve Williams' comments, all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones (Jim Mackay) on my bag and representing me," world number three Mickelson said.
Meanwhile, Woods' former coach Butch Harmon has branded Williams' comments "deplorable".
Harmon, who now works with Mickelson after spending a decade closely associated with Woods, has hit out at Williams and is confident his comments do not reflect the opinions of his employer.
"I can't believe he said what he said. I think it's deplorable that he would say something like that.
"Golf is a game of honour and integrity and that was a very uncalled-for remark and I don't think it's a reflection of how Tiger thinks of Phil Mickelson.
"Until I see Steve and have a conversation with him and find out why he said what he said I don't really understand it. Phil Mickelson is one of the most popular players in the world, every bit as popular as Tiger Woods around the world.
"He's a nice guy, all the guys like Phil so I don't know where Steve was coming from with that comment.
"But personally I would assume he wishes he had never made it and I would love to have heard a recording of the conversation between him and Tiger after it came out in print.
"Having worked with Tiger for 10 years, I can tell you he wouldn't have been very happy with that."
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