SHANGHAI — Tiger Woods’ ex-caddie has apologized for making a remark about his former boss that could have been “construed as racist” at an awards dinner in China.
“I apologize for comments I made last night at the Annual Caddy Awards dinner in Shanghai,” Steve Williams posted on his website, kiwicaddy.co.nz.
“Players and caddies look forward to this evening all year and the spirit is always joking and fun. I now realize how my comments could be construed as racist. However I assure you that was not my intent.
“I sincerely apologize to Tiger and anyone else I have offended.”
At the dinner at the WGC-HSBC Championship in Shanghai on Friday night, Williams was given a gong for the year’s best celebration for his comments following Australian Adam Scott’s victory at the Bridgestone Invitational in August.
After his new employer won, Williams called it “the most satisfying win I’ve ever had” in an apparent slight at Woods, whom he guided to 13 major titles during their 12 years together.
Asked at the dinner Friday night to explain his comments, Williams said, “My aim was to shove it right up that black a*sehole,” according to The (London) Daily Telegraph.
According to the Daily Mail, another caddie at the dinner said attendees were shocked by Williams’ comments.
“Never have you been in a room and seen so many jaws drop at the same time,” the unnamed caddie said.
“We knew he was an idiot but we didn’t know he was a racist idiot. I was standing next to a European Tour official who said, ‘Thank God he is not on our tour.'”
There have already been calls for Williams to be fired by world number eight Scott and face a ban from the game.
Scott was among a clutch of top 10 players, including Rory McIlroy, among the 100-strong audience listening to Williams’ comments in the banqueting hall, AFP reported.
Scott, 31, teed off on Saturday with Williams at his side as the storm around the comments gathered strength. Scott moved up to joint first place with Swede Freddie Jacobson on 12-under during the first nine of the third round of the HSBC Championship.
Officials at the championship, Asia’s flagship event sanctioned by the PGA and European tours, were keeping silent on the scandal.
“It was a private function and we will not be making any further comment,” said a press officer from HSBC, the tournament sponsor. The sanctioning tours refused to make an official comment.
The 47-year-old New Zealander and Woods parted ways in July this year. After he was fired, Williams said he had lost respect for his partner of 12 years when details of the golf superstar’s repeated adultery emerged.
“You could say I’ve wasted the last two years of my life. I’ve stuck with Tiger and been incredibly loyal,” Williams said.
“I’m not disappointed I’ve been fired — that’s part of the job — but the timing is extraordinary. I, along with a lot of people, lost a lot of respect for Tiger and I pointed out before his return at the Masters in 2010 that he had to earn back my respect. Through time I hope he can gain my respect back.”
Williams has previously hit the headlines for his run-ins with fans, particularly those who irritated Woods by snapping pictures during his swing. In 2002 at the Skins Game, Williams snatched a camera from a fan and threw it in a pond after the fan took a picture during Woods’ swing on the 18th hole.
Williams also sparked controversy in Dec. 2008 when he said he “hated” Phil Mickelson, and called him a “pr*ck” at a charity event. Woods later called the comments “inappropriate.”
Woods, now ranked 56th in the world, arrived in Australia on Friday and will play in the Australian Open in Sydney next week, where Scott will also be playing. They will also be on opposing teams the following week at the Presidents Cup in Melbourne.