10 Aug 2011

Golfers react to Williams outburst

6:09 am on 10 August 2011

Gloating comments made by Adam Scott's New Zealand caddie at the expense of his former employer Tiger Woods after the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational have sparked mixed reactions from players at this week's PGA Championship.

While many players understood the frustration felt by caddie Steve Williams after being abruptly fired by Woods at the start of July, others believed he unfairly took the focus away from a superb triumph by Scott at Firestone Country Club.

The New Zealander described Australian Scott's four-shot victory as the most satisfying of his career, despite having previously won 13 majors in tandem with Woods.

However, Williams hardly mentioned Scott in a post-tournament interview with CBS television, saying "I feel like I'm a good front-runner when I'm caddying" as he spoke mainly in the first person.

The British world number one Luke Donald says he thinks Williams had the right to say what he said but he was disappointed with the fact the caddie failed to mention Scott's incredible win.

Second-ranked Briton Lee Westwood described Williams' comments as a "good dig" at 14-times major winner Woods.

He says Williams should have kept his comments for later, suggesting the fiery interview detracted from Scott's win.

Television interviews with caddies, especially straight after the finale to a tournament, are almost unheard of.