Boston-Homer

Pressing the reset button.


On Wednesday it was announced that Tiger Woods and caddy Steve Williams are parting ways. This was something that surprised me somewhat, but not completely. Williams was granted permission by Woods to caddy for Adam Scott in the U.S. Open and Open Championship, so something was clearly amiss.

Tiger has made a very concerted effort to begin separating himself from his past. Williams was someone that many saw as a rock in Woods' life. They were not just business partners, but also friends. Now, one has to wonder what the friendship really meant to Woods. The timing of all of this is pretty strange, Williams even said so, admitting he regretted how this happening now is not a good thing.

Obviously it looks bad because it implies that Tiger's scandal is part of the reason for this change. Tiger is distancing himself from everyone, except his agent. Tiger stayed with Mark Steinberg even though Steinberg left sports agency mammoth IMG early this summer.

Tiger's decision is somewhat mystifying to me and it once again makes Tiger look like a jerk. He is heartless and calculating, to the point where he surprises a friend in the timing of a firing. Williams admitted he was surprised. They had been together 12 years, longer Tiger was with Elin,  and Fluff (his only other caddy on tour),  and Hank Haney. Butch Harmon (former swing coach) might be the only person that has been in Tiger's life longer.

Steve Williams might be the best caddy in the world. He managed Tiger, maybe managed his secrets (I think he knew a lot more about the scandal than he told the press). He was Tiger's most loyal soldier, and how is he finally treated?  Like crap.



They always seemed like they were on the same page...

The more and more I think about Tiger the more sad I feel for him. He is starting his entire life over. He trusts no one, and no one can trust him. Imagine being 35 and feeling that way. It really is pathetic. Sure he has his money, but his career is in shambles right now, and he cannot get it back on track.

Tiger's firing of Steve Williams once again portrays Tiger's personality. Something goes wrong, fire someone, find someone new. Tiger has been completely unaccountable to himself and his actions for much longer than I think we ever realized. He never really takes the blame.

Sadly for Tiger, this is now becoming a trend in his life. As more people realize it you have to wonder if Tiger will be more and more isolated. Does Tiger get told "no" by any future caddies? Tiger was notorious for keeping a close circle, will Tiger's circle become non-existent or will their always be people who fall for his money and fame? I guess time will tell.

Some links about the split:
Wasting years of his life.
Lost respect for Tiger