Tiger Woods’ Longtime Caddie ‘Shocked’ At Firing
July 21 2011, Published 10:00 a.m. ET
By Adam S. Levy - Breaking Celebrity News Staff Writer
Tiger Woods is calling it quits with his longtime caddie.
The golfer, 35, said on his website Wednesday that he'll no longer be working with Steve Williams, his New Zealand-born, right-hand man on the links for the past 12 years.
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"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said. "Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments.
"I wish him great success in the future."
In response, Williams said on his website that Woods’ decision to let him go "came as a shock.
"Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger's scandal, a new coach and with it, a major swing change and Tiger battling through injuries, I am very disappointed to end our very successful partnership at this time."
Following Woods' messy marital breakup last year, Williams denied knowing of the golfer's serial sexcapades through the decade he spent at his side, in which Tiger won 13 of his 14 Major championships.