ATLANTA, Georgia - Steve Williams, the caddie fired by Tiger Woods last month after serving as his bagman for 13 of his 14 major triumphs, apologized on Wednesday for snubbing his new employer after a victory.

The move came on the eve of the 93rd PGA Championship, where Woods said he was surprised at comments by Williams last Sunday that seemed to diminish their 12 years together and ignore Adam Scott's Bridgestone Invitational victory.

Williams, a 47-year-old New Zealander who was cheered by name while walking alongside Scott up the 18th hole in the World Golf Championships event at Firestone, called it "the best week of my life" and "most satisfying win".

"I have been caddying for 33 years, 145 wins, and that's the best win I've ever had," Williams said. "I sort of believe in destiny sometimes."

Woods chose his words carefully on Wednesday and said little about the flap, although he said his agent, Mark Steinberg, met Williams on Tuesday.

"I'm not going to speculate on Stevie," Woods said. "Those are obviously his feelings and his emotions and his decision to say what he wants to say."

On his website, Williams posted a statement apologizing to Scott, who said on Tuesday he had spoken to Williams and had no problem with the comments.

"My emotions following Adam's victory were running very high and at the time I felt like my emotions poured out and got the better of me," Williams said in his statement.

"I apologize to my fellow caddies and professionals for failing to mention Adam's outstanding performance. I would like to thank all those fans at Firestone who made this victory the most special of my career."

Woods said he sent Williams a congratulatory text message after the final round last Sunday.

"I was happy to see Stevie and Adam win. Adam has been a friend of mine, and same with Stevie," Woods said.

"I sent Stevie a nice text after completion of play, congratulating him on his win. It was good to see them go out there and play as well as they did."

Asked if he and Williams had spoken or exchanged messages since Williams made his comments, Woods said, "I think that's between Stevie and myself."

Former World No 1 Woods, now ranked 30th after missing much of this season with left leg injuries, was 15 strokes back at the WGC event on a course where he had won seven times before with Williams as caddie.

Woods dodged the question when asked if Williams had been disloyal, having defined loyalty as trust earned over time, and again when asked if he regretted the way he split with Williams, which he said came face-to-face at last month's PGA National.

"Sometimes we all need changes and this was a change," Woods said. "I was at peace with it. It was a decision and a direction I wanted to go and that's it."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 08/12/2011 page23)