Steve Williams knows as well as anyone the hard work it took for Tiger Woods to become one of the greatest golfers of all time. Williams also knows as well as anyone that Woods can be his own biggest adversary.
Williams served as Woods’ caddie from 1999 to 2011, helping the former world No. 1 win 13 of his 14 major titles. But Woods hasn’t won a major since 2008, in large because of injury problems, and Williams can’t help but wonder whether the golfer’s physical woes are self-inflicted.
“I guess when he looks back, he might question some of the activities that he did, some of the gym work that he might have done that, you know, had all these injuries escalate,” Williams recently told BBC Radio, via The Guardian. “It is very hard to pinpoint how he has got to where he is now, but I’d have to say there is a lot merit in (Woods’ injuries being caused by him training as an athlete rather than a golfer).”
Woods hasn’t competed since August, having undergone three surgical procedures on his back. It’s unclear at this point if/when Woods’ health will allow him to return to the course, let alone win another major, but Williams is confident there’s still something left in the 40-year-old’s tank.
“I don’t doubt he will come back to the winner’s circle. He is a great competitor, he has an incredible work ethic — when he can work hard — and one thing he does know how to do is win,” Williams said. “But whether he comes back and wins major championships? That’s going to be a very difficult task.”
Perhaps the outlook would be better if Woods took things a little easier in the gym earlier in his career.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images
