Connect with us

19th Hole

Why Steve Williams hung up on Tiger Woods during their first phone call

Published

on

A couple of days ago, we covered just a snippet of the ‘Chasing Majors‘ podcast, a series of chats with Steve Williams, former caddie to Tiger Woods.

In that piece, we discovered the moment that player and looper began to trust each other – over a putt at the 1999 PGA Championship.

As Australian journalist Evin Priest chats to the 58-year-old, winner of 13 Majors for his old boss, Williams reveals the thought processes and partnership, highs and lows of the team, all from the mouth of a previously somewhat secretive man.

However, the initial question surely has to be, ‘How did it all start?’

February 1999. Williams arrives at Doral to caddie for Raymond Floyd, and whilst in the air on a plane flying from New Zealand, news breaks that Tiger had split from caddie ‘Fluff’ Cowan.

The golf world knew that Tiger was now on the search for a new bag-man.

Williams explains. ”The phone rings, and it’s pretty late, half-past nine. The gentleman on the other end of the phone says, ‘It’s Tiger Woods here,’ And I had a mate who could take Tiger’s voice off to a tee, and I thought it was him, so I put the phone down.”

But the phone rang again.

”I said, ‘Look, Bob, I’m tired. Give me a ring tomorrow. I’ve just flown in from New Zealand,’ and I put the phone down again.”

”It rang back again, and I thought, ‘Maybe it’s not Bob,’ and actually it was Tiger. We got off to a pretty good start there. He thought that was pretty good.”

The remaining episodes of what Priest calls ‘a lockdown passion project’ follow soon, at all the usual podcast sites.

More from the 19th Hole

 

Your Reaction?
  • 26
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW1
  • LOL10
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB0
  • SHANK8

19th Hole

Report: Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy returning to policy board; Will be the only player negotiating directly with Saudis

Published

on

According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has soured.

Last week, reports surfaced that McIlroy, who was a member of the PGA Tour policy board during most of the past few years, was looking to rejoin the board, presumably taking Webb Simpson’s seat.

However, on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he will not be rejoining the policy board, due to people on the board being “uncomfortable” with that “for some reason.”

The Telegraph has reported that Tiger Woods was among the players who voted against McIlroy returning to the policy board.

The divide is apparently due to McIlroy pushing for the game of golf to unify, whereas Woods, reportedly, believes the PGA Tour is in a fine position where it currently stands.

The Associated Press added another wrinkle to the situation, reporting that Woods is the only player who will be negotiating directly with the Saudis.

The other members of the committee are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group, and Joe Ogilvie, who was a former PGA Tour player.

Your Reaction?
  • 14
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW6
  • LOL4
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB2
  • SHANK14

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

Published

on

On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.

“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”

Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.

“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”

While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 15
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW2
  • LOL6
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB0
  • SHANK20

Continue Reading

19th Hole

PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites

Published

on

This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.

PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.

“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”

“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”

“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”

Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 29
  • LEGIT35
  • WOW1
  • LOL8
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP1
  • OB3
  • SHANK15

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending