Steve Williams defends using ‘slave’ to describe his time caddying for Tiger Woods
Steve Williams had no clue using the word “slave” to describe some aspects of his time caddying for Tiger Woods would set off such a backlash.
In a new book called “Out of the Rough,” Williams used the word to describe how Woods made the Kiwi caddie sometimes feel with his on-course temper tantrums and how the 14-time major winner treated him during tournaments. Williams’ description was published in a pre-release excerpt, prompting a strong negative reaction from many in the golf world — something Williams did not anticipate.
“In this part of the world where slavery has never existed people use slave as a description of their service or work every day,” Williams wrote in an email to USA Today. “We use the word loosely down under. After reviewing the book several times before it was published, it never crossed my mind to change the word. It merely was a description of how I felt about something, and in no way in the context it was used does it suggest I was treated like a slave.”
Williams has come under fire before for his use of racial language relating to Woods. At a November 2011 event in China, four months after Woods fired Williams following a 12-year relationship, the caddie was on stage to receive a reward for the Celebration of the Year, back when his new boss Adam Scott won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Williams celebrated like he had personally won the event, even getting a post-win interview. Williams explained his jubilation, saying, he wanted to “shove it up that black a***hole.”
Adam Scott, who still works with the semi-retired Williams, said he doesn’t expect the book to be a distraction in their relationship.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
