While ‘hurt’ by his racist remarks Tiger Woods has met with former caddy, Steve Williams and accepted his apology.
Woods and Williams were spotted in conversation soon after the former long-time World No. 1 arrived at The Lakes Golf Club and venue this week for the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney.
However Williams had phoned Woods following the scandal that broke last week in Shanghai at a caddies presentation evening during the course of the WGC – HSBC Champions event.
“We talked this morning and talked about it and talked it through,” said Woods.
“It was the wrong thing to say and Steve acknowledges that now and we’ve move forward.
“Steve did apologize. It was hurtful certainly, but then life goes forward.”
Williams was caddy to Woods for all but one of the Americans 14 Major triumphs with Woods electing to split from the New Zealander ahead of last August’s WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.
Williams was then heavily criticised for his remarks about Woods straight after caddying for Australia’s Adam Scott who captured the Ohio tournament.
And after Woods and Williams had been close for so many years it romoted the question to Woods how did a relationship of some 14 years break down to the extent it has.
“That’s a great question and I still don’t know the answer to that one,” said Woods.
“For me personally it was a tough decision to make and it was time for me to go in a different direction with a new caddy. Stevie has moved to work with Adam Scott and they won a World Championship, so Adam is great right now.
“But as far as personally, I don’t know how things have since happened between us but it did and here we are.
“So as I said, life goes forward and we have moved forward.
“But then time heals all wounds and we will see if it does.”
And Woods confessed he does believe Williams to be a racist.
“No, Stevie is certainly not a racist so there is no problem with that,” said Woods.
“But then it was a comment he shouldn’t have been made and he wished he hadn’t made it.”
Woods is competing in Sydney for a first time since making his Australian debut in the 1996 Australian Open at the nearby Australian Club.
He finished fourth that year tied with Australia’s Terry Pilkadaris behind Greg Norman.
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