Advertisement

Another strain on the Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson relationship

Share

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

They’ve never been the closest of friends, on or off the course, but now the relationship between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson threatens to deteriorate further.

Steve Williams, Woods’ caddie, was back in his home in New Zealand and had some off-color things to say in news reports over the weekend that were strong enough to bring a response from Mickelson’s camp ... something that is far from common in a sport that likes to promote itself as one based in sportsmanship and tradition.

Williams was quoted as saying, ‘I wouldn’t call Mickelson a great player, ‘cause I hate the ...,’ using a term not suitable for general consumption. He also talked about an incident at the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in June in which Mickelson, playing with Woods, was supposedly heckled by a fan with an off-color remark on the 17th hole and played poorly thereafter.

Advertisement

Sunday, Mickelson’s representatives sent a brusquely worded statement to media outlets that included this comment from Mickelson, ‘After seeing Steve Williams’ comments all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones on my bag and representing me.’ Bones is the nickname for Mickelson’s caddie, Jim MacKay.

Mickelson’s statement also said the Williams anecdote was an ‘absolute fabrication’ and that his comments were ‘grossly inaccurate and irresponsible.’

In addition, the statement also rebutted the heckling anecdote, saying that it was an often-told story about the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage in New York, not the 2008 Open at Torrey Pines, and that the story involved a European Tour player, not Mickelson.

Approached by the Sunday Star Times the day after the first interview ran, Williams acknowledged that the heckling story, in fact, might have been at Bethpage. He also said of Mickelson, ‘I don’t particularly like the guy myself. He pays me no respect at all and hence I don’t pay him any respect. It’s no secret we don’t get along either.’

No word yet from Woods. Just don’t expect Mickelson and the world’s No. 1 player to be pairing up in any lighthearted practice rounds once Woods begins playing again.

--Mike James

Advertisement