The golf world was left in shock when the highly anticipated partnership between Jason Day and his legendary caddie Steve Williams ended on August 12, 2019.
This split left many wondering what could have been because of how early into the partnership the duo decided to part ways. The New Zealander is a well-known caddie in the golf world, having previously worked with Tiger Woods until being fired in 2011.
After six tournaments into their collaboration, Day’s and William’s promising future crumbled into pieces after only a single top-10 finish. The final straw came at the Northern Trust Open, where Day missed the cut by a single heartbreaking shot. The disappointment was enough to fuel Day’s frustration, as this wasn’t the outcome he had envisioned when joining forces with Williams.
Day had teamed up with Steve Williams in hopes of reclaiming his winning ways, but their different golf practices just didn’t align. Williams’s traditional approach, which was shaped by successes with Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, just didn’t work out with Day. He even said, “It was a disconnect of old school and new school, per Golf.com.
Day continued by saying that the decision to fire Williams was not an easy one. “Parting with Steve was a mutual decision and not an easy one to make.” William had become more of a friend to Day than just a caddie, and he took his time to thank him for that. “Steve has become a friend, and I have a lot of respect for him. I thank Steve for everything he taught me,” Day said. Williams did not say anything on the matter, unlike the time he said some pretty controversial things after his split with Woods.
Steve Williams says he felt like a ‘slave’ while working with Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods‘s former caddie of 12 years penned the details of his split with the GOAT in his tell-all autobiography, Out of the Rough. He revealed that he was dissatisfied with the partnership and felt like a slave working for Woods. “I felt uneasy about bending down to pick up his discarded club; it was like I was his slave,” wrote Williams. Williams helped the golfer win 13 major championships.
He also revealed how Woods fired him over a call. Williams had asked Woods if he could caddie for Scott, and he said yes to it initially but later declined. Williams still caddied for Adam Scott, and later mentioned, “I had no idea I was going to get fired over it.” After the US Open that year, Williams was fired by Woods, “I was told (by Tiger) after U.S. Open that I no longer had a job and it’s as simple as that.”
Williams had worked with greats like Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd, and eventually Jason Day. What do you think of the veteran bagman? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!