Caddie Smack

Caddie Steve Williams might want to keep his lips sealed
for a while, after taking credit for Adam Scott's victory at
the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last weekend.

We all know golfers appear to be rich, pretentious snobs. Maybe it's the fact that they don't interact with fans as much as – say – a baseball player diving into the stands for a foul ball. Perhaps it's the isolation of the game – being alone in the fairway with only your caddie within shouting distance.

But as arrogant as golfers are, nothing compares to an arrogant caddie.

Last week, Steve Williams – former right-hand man to Tiger Woods – was on the bag when Adam Scott won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Instead of being a normal caddie and giving all the kudos to Scott for playing well, Williams decided that he was the reason Scott won, saying, "It was the best win I've ever had."

The best win he's ever had?

Now I'm no Tiger Woods – or Adam Scott for that matter – but I do know it takes a little more than some friendly advice to win a tournament. I'm not putting down the caddie profession, but that's what they're there for – advice.

When I first started playing golf, my dad would give me all kinds of advice. Yet, I could rarely shoot below 110 over 18 holes. I'm not sure whether it was bad advice or just my terrible coordination and athletic ability, but according to Williams, I should have been the best golfer in the world.

The point is, Scott had to use the clubs and make the shots. Anyone can give advice, but great men know how to take that advice and use it to their advantage.

Sure, Williams' quote probably had something to do with being fired by Woods. It also could be that Williams was just so glad to be back on top that he let his mouth shoot off a little. But unless you picked up a club and physically put the ball in the hole, there's no need to downgrade Scott's achievements.

My guess is that sometime this week Scott will remind Williams of his place, maybe during a friendly round between co-workers. If Williams plays well, they might even make a movie out of it and call it "Caddyshack."

Or you might run into Williams at the unemployment line in Georgia. Either way, Carl Spackler would be proud.