Tiger Woods ‘disappointed’ with caddie’s comments; Williams says he regrets what he said

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

*Updated with Steve Williams’ comments

In the wake of his caddie’s disparaging comments about Phil Mickelson over the weekend in New Zealand newspapers, Tiger Woods issued a statement today expressing disappointment over the remarks.

‘I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player I respect,’ Woods said in the statement. ‘It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with.’

Williams later said he should not have said what he did. “I don’t deny that him and I don’t get along,” Williams told the Associated Press, referring to Mickelson. “I shouldn’t have said it, but no harm was meant. I was just having some fun.”

There was no indication in the statement of whether the professional relationship between Williams and Woods would be jeopardized. Williams has been Woods’ caddie since the spring of 1999.

In one New Zealand paper, Williams said, ‘I wouldn’t call Mickelson a great player, ‘cause I hate the ...,’ using an expletive to describe him.

Williams also told an apocryphal version of a story at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in which a fan supposedly mocked Mickelson with an off-color comment related to his physique. That story actually did not involve Mickelson at the 2008 Open but is widely believed to have involved Colin Montgomerie at the 2002 Open at Bethpage in New York.

Williams told the AP he had spoken to Woods but declined to discuss their conversation. He said he has not spoken to Mickelson, but would if he had his phone number.

Woods, recovering from knee surgery shortly after his Open victory at Torrey Pines, is expected to speak at Sherwood Country Club on Wednesday. He is the host of the Chevron World Challenge, which features a field of 16 who will play Thursday through Sunday. Mickelson is not playing in the event.

Woods isn’t expected to get back on the PGA Tour until perhaps March.

-- Mike James