By Paul Newberry
Associated Press
JOHNS CREEK, Ga. ó Adam Scott talked with Steve Williams about the caddieís comments last weekend at Firestone, and both are ready ělet our clubs do the talkingî at the PGA Championship.
Coming off a win against an elite field at the World Golf Championship, Scott is one of the favorites in the final major of the year at Atlanta Athletic Club.
But the very first question the Aussie was asked Tuesday ó and several more ó related to whether Williams stole the attention that should have gone to Scott by lashing out at former boss Tiger Woods as soon as they came off the 18th green in Akron.
ěI kind of think itís been blown out of proportion,î Scott said. ěI guess itís newsworthy stuff. I donít know. Steve was obviously delighted to win, as was I. And, you know, he was speaking with a bit of emotion probably.î
No probably about it. Williams gave an interview that was nearly twice as long as Scottís, calling it ěthe best win Iíve ever hadî ó quite a pronouncement, given he was on the bag for 13 of Woodsí major titles before getting fired this summer.
Williams also made it clear that he felt Woods had treated him unfairly, saying he stuck by his former boss even through all his personal turmoil and health problems.
ěLook, weíve had a chat about the whole thing,î said Scott, whose laid-back personality is a striking contrast to Williamsí emotional demeanor. ěIf he really feel that was one of his great wins, Iím kind of flattered and it fills me with confidence. I think thatís what his intention is, to be honest.î
Williams said he was caught off guard when the media came up to interview him after Scottís win.
ěItís very unusual for TV to put a microphone in front of a caddieís face,î he said. ěThere was a lot of emotion and anger that came out.î
Players have criticized Williams for the way he handled the interview, saying he should have kept the attention on Scott after an impressive four-stroke win.
Woods also played at Firestone, coming back from a three-month layoff to recover from a leg injury, but he finished 18 shots behind the winner. That only added to Williamsí glee.
“I understand where players are coming from, but I’m a little upset by what some of them said because they have no idea what I’ve been through,” Williams said. “But I didn’t mean to cause anyone harm. There was just a lot of emotion.”
Scott is ready to look forward.
“It all got a little out of hand,” he said. “We’ll just go on from there.î