Golf:Tiger Woods is loving the fact he is back playing golf and this week back playing a major. He is not so happy about what ex-caddie Steve Williams said after Adam Scott's win on Sunday, but unsurprisingly chose not to get into a public slanging match on the eve of the US PGA Championship in Atlanta.
The former world number one admitted he was surprised by Williams, his caddie for 13 of his 14 major victories, saying last week was “the best win I’ve ever had.”
But when asked today if he and the New Zealander had been in touch since Woods stated: “I think that’s between Stevie and myself.”
There was a photo taken of Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg speaking with Williams, but there was no way Woods was going to divulge what was said there. Asked if he regretted the way the situation unfolded he stated: “All I can control is my life and how I feel. That’s it — that’s all I can do.”
Woods, thought to be unhappy about Williams going to work for Scott, added that he sent Williams a “nice text” of congratulation on Sunday evening, but that is presumed to have happened before he was aware of the interviews the caddie gave. Asked what his definition of loyalty was, he replied: “Obviously it’s trust earned over time.”
And on whether Williams was therefore guilty of disloyalty Woods answered: “I’m not going to speculate on Steve. Those are obviously his feelings and his emotions and his decision to say what he wants to say.“
Woods, 37th at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in his first event back from knee and Achilles tendon injuries, will need to do considerably better than that this week if he is to qualify for the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup play-offs. He currently lies 129th on the points list and, based on last year, he would have to finish in the top 14 at Atlanta Athletic Club on Sunday to climb into the top 125.
Woods is not the only big name currently outside a play-off spot. Ernie Els is 126th, Padraig Harrington 130th, Paul Casey 147th.
The four-time PGA champion, who missed the US Open and Open, commented: “I can feel the rush of a major championship again.
“I can just feel the atmosphere — it’s just different. I was frustrated earlier in the year, especially at The Masters, because I just wasn’t feeling well, but now that I’m healthy I have way more energy because I’m not trying to block out pain.
“I can just go out there and play golf.”
How well remains the issue. There were patches of really good stuff in Akron, but then some really poor shots too. He says his realistic expectation for the week is still to win, but one suspects he will keep saying that no matter how long his world ranking, currently 30th, goes on tumbling.
