Despite Tiger's off-the-course issues, a subsequent four-month absence, a magnitude of struggles and an inability to keep his knee intact — all of which have contributed to his fall from greatness — Williams was a constant.
Having been a caddie for golf greats Peter Thompson and Greg Norman before joining Tiger on the PGA tour in 1999, Williams was no slouch. In fact, it was Tiger's then-coach Butch Harmon who approached Williams about coaching Tiger, not the other way around. And upon Williams' arrival, Tiger's success and popularity rose to new heights.
Now, this isn't to suggest that Williams is the reason for Tiger's success. Stating such would be foolish and unprovable. But it's hard to ignore the sustained level of dominance that he enjoyed with Williams behind him.
During the 12 years in which Williams was Tiger's caddie, Tiger racked up 63 wins, including 13 majors — a win percentage of 31 percent. This is a major improvement over the 14.8 percent win percentage he enjoyed from 1996-1999 under former-caddie Mike "Fluff" Cowan. Tiger was named PGA Player of the Year nine times during Williams' 12-year stint.
Caddies change on the PGA tour, and often quickly. So for the world's most popular golfer to stick with one caddie for 12 years, during which he achieved perhaps the greatest run of dominance the sport has ever seen, it says a lot about the relationship that developed between the two.
Woods is becoming more and more of a golf afterthought in 2011, as his once-expected dominance has given way to question marks about if and when he'll return to the tour. And while Tiger's absence initially smelled of disaster for the PGA, the sport is beginning to show that it can still plug along in a Tiger-less world, with plotlines featuring the young Rory McIlroy and the lovable Darren Clarke taking center stage.
But is Williams really to blame for Tiger's woeful two years?
This isn't to suggest that Tiger is blaming Williams, but in his statement, he simply said, "I think it's time for a change."
Yes, you're right Tiger. It is time for a change. But firing the caddie who stood by your side during most of your success and, more importantly, all of your failures and transgressions isn't the "change" that you need.
Instead, what Tiger needs to do in order to return to his former glory is focus on getting healthy and working out the kinks that's plagued him when he's actually been able to step foot on the course — not making changes in the hopes that the problems iron themselves out
In fact, during an unpredictable time in Tiger's career, he should have welcomed the continued support of Williams, who was even shocked by the decision himself.
"After 13 years of loyal service needless to say this came as a shock," he said on his website. "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."
But as Williams moves on and becomes the full-time caddie for Adam Scott, who is currently ranked ahead of Tiger at No. 17 in the world, Woods might soon be the one who is more disappointed than anyone.
In fact, if Tiger doesn't find a solution to his problems on the course upon his return, it could be a blessing in disguise for Williams that he was able to move on when he did.
