Ava Romero
New Zealand caddie Steve Williams, known for his work with Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Jason Day, has had a long and illustrious career. Williams began caddying at a young age and went on to work with some of the biggest names in golf, achieving significant success and gaining recognition for his expertise. However, in 2014, Williams announced his plan to retire from caddying, marking an end to his over three-decade-long career. Despite this, he remained open to part-time work and even came out of retirement briefly to caddie for Scott again in 2022 and 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Steve Williams MNZM |
| Date of Birth | 29 December 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Career | Caddie for several top professional golfers, including Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd, Peter Thomson, and Danielle Kang |
| Retirement | Announced retirement in 2014 but has returned to caddying part-time since then |
| Notable Achievements | 13 major wins and over 80 victories worldwide with Tiger Woods |
| Books | Co-authored "Together We Roared" with Evin Priest about his time with Tiger Woods |
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What You'll Learn
Steve Williams' retirement plans
Steve Williams, the New Zealander caddie who has worked with several top golfers, including Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Jason Day, has expressed his plans for retirement. In an interview in 2014, Williams shared that he knew retirement or a break from caddying was on the horizon after 36 years in the profession. He wanted to spend more time in New Zealand with his family, including his wife and 9-year-old son.
While considering retirement, Williams mentioned that he would be open to part-time work and would even team up with his former boss, Tiger Woods, if asked. Williams and Woods shared a close relationship, with Woods attending Williams' wedding in New Zealand and several of Williams' dirt track races. Their partnership lasted from 1999 to 2011 and included 13 major wins and over 80 victories worldwide.
After his split with Woods, Williams went on to caddy for Adam Scott, helping him secure a runner-up position at the 2012 Open Championship and a Masters win in 2013. Williams also briefly came out of retirement to caddy for Scott again in 2022 and 2023, including at the 2023 Masters, which was likely his final tournament as a caddie.
In addition to his caddying career, Williams has co-authored a book, "Together We Roared," with Golf Digest contributor Evin Priest. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at his 12-year partnership with Woods, their dynamic relationship, and the challenges they faced together. It also includes personal photos, such as a vintage Ford that Woods gifted to Williams and handwritten notes they exchanged.
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Williams' career as a caddie
Steve Williams, born on December 29, 1963, is a New Zealander who has served as a caddie for several top professional golfers, including Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and most recently, Jason Day. Williams began caddying at his home club at age six and frequently caddied 36 holes on weekends by the time he was ten years old. He developed a passion for caddying and became a two-handicap golfer by the age of thirteen. In 1976, his father arranged for him to caddie for five-time Open Championship winner Peter Thomson in the New Zealand Open, where Thomson was impressed and hired Williams as his regular caddie for tournaments in New Zealand.
Following his split with Woods, Williams worked with Adam Scott, caddying for him in the 2011 U.S. Open and 2011 Open Championship. Williams continued to caddie for Scott until 2017, when he stepped down from his role, citing Scott's desire to return to a full-time caddie. Williams came out of retirement to caddie for Scott again in 2022 and 2023, including at the Genesis Invitational and the Masters, which was likely his final Masters tournament.
Williams has also co-authored a book, "Together We Roared," with Golf Digest contributor Evin Priest. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at his dynamic relationship with Woods, including their greatest wins, challenges, and the reasons for their split. In the book, Williams expresses his admiration for Woods and reflects fondly on their time together.
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Williams' relationship with Tiger Woods
Steve Williams and Tiger Woods shared a 12-year partnership, from 1999 to 2011, that was one of the most dynamic player-caddie relationships in golf history. During this time, Woods won 63 PGA Tour titles and 13 majors with Williams on his bag.
Williams was known to aggressively defend Woods from overbearing fans on the course. Their relationship extended beyond the golf course, with Woods attending Williams' wedding in New Zealand in 2005 and attending many of Williams' dirt track races.
In 2011, Williams and Woods were at the center of one of the most talked-about breakups in the golf world. The incident took place when Williams travelled to the US Open with the intention of caddying for Woods, who, due to an injury, would not be participating in the tournament. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Williams found out that Woods would not be playing and was asked by Adam Scott to caddy for him instead. However, Woods' representative called to express Woods' preference that Williams not caddy for Scott.
Williams reflected on this pivotal moment and admitted that, in hindsight, he should have listened to his wife's advice not to caddie for Scott. He said, "I'd probably still be caddying for Tiger today." Despite their separation, Williams still praises Woods' determination and has expressed his admiration for their chapter working together.
Williams co-wrote a book, 'Together We Roared', about his time with Woods, reflecting on the end of their partnership and the limited communication since. He also shares personal photos that highlight their relationship, including a vintage Ford that Woods gave to Williams and the golf bags from their time together.
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Williams' post-retirement projects
Steve Williams, the New Zealander golf caddie, has worked with several top golfers, including Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Jason Day. While Williams has slowed down in recent years, he has not retired from caddying altogether. In 2023, he caddied for Scott at the Genesis Invitational and the Masters, stating that the latter would likely be his final Masters tournament.
Although Williams has not retired, he has pursued several projects outside of caddying. Firstly, he has co-written a book with Golf Digest contributor Evin Priest, titled "Together We Roared". The book reflects on his 12-year partnership with Woods, including their 13 major wins, and offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on their dynamic. It also includes personal photos and insights into their relationship beyond the golf course.
Secondly, Williams has continued to stay involved in the world of golf by occasionally returning to caddying. As previously mentioned, he came out of semi-retirement to caddie for Scott in 2022 and 2023. In 2017, he also caddied for Danielle Kang at the New Zealand Women's Open.
Williams has also used his platform to voice his opinions on other golfers. In 2008, he made headlines for his negative comments about Phil Mickelson, stating that he did not like or respect the golfer. Additionally, in 2011, Williams made a comment about Woods that was perceived as racist and later apologized for it.
While Williams has slowed down from his caddying career, he continues to stay engaged in the golf world through his book and occasional caddying appearances. He has also expressed his support for Woods following the golfer's injury setback in 2021, believing that Woods' career is "not done yet".
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Williams' relationship with Adam Scott
Steve Williams, a New Zealander born in Wellington, started caddying at his home club at the age of six. By the time he was 13, he enjoyed caddying more than playing golf. In 1976, his father arranged for him to caddy for Peter Thomson in the New Zealand Open, and Williams became his regular caddie in New Zealand. In 1979, Williams moved to Europe to become a caddie on the European Tour.
Williams and Adam Scott's professional relationship began in 2011. With Williams as his caddie, Scott finished runner-up at the 2012 Open Championship. The following year, Scott won the Masters, defeating Ángel Cabrera on the second playoff hole. It was Scott's first major championship and the first time an Australian golfer won the Masters.
In 2014, Scott achieved a world No. 1 ranking in the OWGR. Scott wanted Williams to continue caddying full-time, but Williams had other plans. In September 2017, Williams announced that he would no longer work with Scott, stating that Scott wanted a full-time caddie from 2018 onwards. Williams ended his semi-retirement and caddied for Scott again in 2022 and 2023, including at the Genesis Invitational in February 2023 and the 2023 Masters, which Williams said would likely be his final Masters as a caddie.
Williams and Scott's partnership was not without controversy. In 2011, Williams made a comment perceived as racist towards Tiger Woods, saying it was his aim to "shove it right up that black arsehole". Williams apologised soon after, and Woods said he was “certainly not racist". Williams also made disparaging remarks about golfer Phil Mickelson, stating that he "hates the prick" and that Mickelson pays him no respect.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Steve Williams, the New Zealander who caddied for Tiger Woods from 1999 to 2011, retired in 2021.
Yes, Steve Williams stepped down from his role as Tiger Woods' caddie in 2011.
No, after leaving his role with Tiger Woods, Steve Williams went on to caddy for Adam Scott and Jason Day.
Yes, after initially retiring, Williams came out of retirement to caddy for Scott again in 2022 and 2023.
Williams retired to spend more time with his family in New Zealand.
