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Woods fired longtime caddie for working with rival golfer, insiders say

WINDERMERE, Fla. — Tiger Woods fired longtime looper Steve Williams because of his decision to caddie for another golfer, according to a new report.

Woods was unhappy after Williams filled in as a caddie for Australian golfer Adam Scott while Woods continued to recover from injuries, FOX Sports reported Thursday, citing people close to the situation.

Williams reportedly had flown to the US in June with the intent of caddying for Woods at the US Open, but after nagging knee and Achilles injuries left the 14-time major winner sidelined, Williams opted to step in to help out Scott, who had just parted ways with his own caddie.

According to FOX, the decision did not sit well with Woods, with the final straw coming when Williams showed up with Scott at Tiger Woods’ own tournament, the AT&T National, three weeks ago.

Woods and Williams reportedly held a closed-door meeting following the trophy presentation, during which Woods fired his looper of 12 years for disloyalty.

In a radio interview Wednesday in his native New Zealand, Williams said, “I was completely loyal, as loyal as somebody could be. I took a lot of heat during Tiger’s [sex] scandal, not just myself but my family as well, and never really got pardoned from that scandal.”

The 47-year-old, who said the move “came as a shock,” announced on his website Wednesday he would become the full-time caddie for Scott.

Woods — who hailed Williams Wednesday as an “outstanding caddie and a friend,” who had been “instrumental” to many of his accomplishments — has not announced who will caddie for him upon his return.

Read more at FOX Sports