Tiger says Wiliams is not a racist

Tiger Woods has insisted at media conference that his former caddy Steve Williams is “not a racist” and wants to move on.
Tiger Woods insisted at media conference on Tuesday that his former caddy, Steve Williams, was “not a racist” and following a face to face meeting between the two earlier in the day, said he was keen to put the matter to bed and move on.
Woods, in Sydney to play in this week’s Australian Open which he won on his last visit here two years ago, was clearly trying to put a damper on the race row that has blown up over a controversial statement made by Williams at a supposedly ‘nothing-said-here-leaves-here caddies award dinner in Shanghai last Friday.
Williams, who was let go by the former World No 1 earlier this year after 13 years of service and is now caddying for Australian Adam Scott, shocked some members of the audience at the dinner when he said that the aim of his celebration after Scott won a World Golf Championship event in August was “to shove it right up that black a*******”.
Woods, speaking publicly for the first time since the incident, told the media on Tuesday: “Stevie is certainly not a racist – there’s no doubt about that.
“It was a comment that shouldn’t have been made and certainly one he wishes he didn’t make.”
Woods said he had met with Williams earlier in the day to discuss the controversial comments, and in the light of their meeting, he was now keen to move on and drop the matter
“We talked this morning,” said an earnest Woods.
“We met face-to-face and we talked it through. Obviously it was the wrong thing to say. That’s something that we both acknowledge now. We’ll move forward.
“He did apologise. It was hurtful, but life moves forward.
“It’s one of those things. We’ll see what time does.”
Williams worked as Woods’ caddie for 13 years, and carried his bag in 13 of his 14 major wins, before a parting of the ways earlier this year which was clearly upsetting to Williams because of the timing of the dismissal.
Williams made it clear at the time that he felt that after stickling it out with Woods through two years of bad times, he deserved more than to be dismissed without any warning.
Asked why their relationship had deteriorated so badly, Woods, now down to No 58 in the World Rankings, said: “I don’t know that one.
“For me personally, it was a tough decision to make to go in a different direction.
“Personally, I don’t know how it could have happened the way it did, but it did.”
Williams will not face sanctions from the PGA Tour, but Woods chose not to comment on the rights and wrongs of that decision.
“Well I don’t make policy, I’m not part of the governing bodies and it’s up to them,” he said.
A joint statement on Sunday from European Tour chief George O’Grady and PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours read: “The International Federation of PGA Tours feels strongly there is no place for any form of racism in ours or any other sport.
“We consider the remarks of Steve Williams, as reported, to be entirely unacceptable in whatever context.
“We are aware that he has apologized fully and we trust we will not hear such remarks again. Based on this, we consider the matter closed, and we will have no further comment.”
Latest
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European Tour
Shane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European Tour
Keith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European Tour
Ryan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.
-
News
Defiant Lee Westwood does not believe playing in LIV should harm Ryder Cup hopes
Westwood doesn’t agree with penalties and sanctions.
-
News
Shane Lowry welcomes closer ties between Tours in response to threat from LIV
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced the next phase of their strategic alliance.
-
News
Padraig Harrington fears LIV series poses threat to future of DP World Tour
The US Senior Open champion thinks there is only room for the PGA and one other tour in the world game.
-
News
Steve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
News
Golfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month