Have you ever thought about what held back one of golf’s greatest legends? However, there was a significant weakness that overshadowed the great success of the show and the host, the weakness of “The Great White Shark“. The 69-year-old former world number one with 88 professional wins, including 20 on the PGA Tour, was a physical golfer. This revelation is from the book “OUT OF THE ROUGH” by Steve Williams which gives a different view of Greg Norman’s career.

The New Zealander caddie gave a detailed blow-by-blow description of his interaction with the world’s best golfer. His view of Greg Norman is quite enlightening. While placing him higher than Woods in terms of physical ability, Steve Williams emphasizes that mental toughness is the key factor in the game. He said, “Of all the players I have worked for, including Tiger, Greg would be the best in terms of the pure physical side of the game. But his weakness, and it was a huge weakness, was not being able to get over a bad break”.

The 60-year-old Steve Williams noted that Greg Norman had a very strong ego that did not allow him to consult with sports psychologists or mental coaches. He said, “He wouldn’t listen to anyone else; his ego was too big for that.” This arrogance probably cost him several potential wins. Also, he was always held responsible for the mistake, even if he provided the correct yardage.

He gave an example of a situation where even the slightest hitch would result in prolonged frustration. “If he dropped a shot, I’d say to Greg, ‘C’mon, let’s get more focused,’ and he’d yell, ‘What do you think I’m doing? I’m f**king focusing. Can’t you see I’m f**king focusing?’”. This mental barrier, Steve Williams said, was the complete opposite of Greg Norman’s physical skills, which were superior to many, including the 15-time major champion Tiger Woods.

Greg Norman had been through so many ups and downs with Steve Williams. However, their split was a rather unexpected move for many. What could have caused this sudden break-up?

The breakup of a legendary duo: Greg Norman and his caddy Steve Williams

It was the time when Greg Norman was at the top of his career. Steve Williams, his caddie, was his right-hand man during the golfing tournaments. Altogether, they made a perfect combination that became a symbol of the show. But in the year 1989, their professional relationship was cut short. Thus, Greg Norman and Steve Williams had different attitudes to the game. Greg Norman was an aggressive and ambitious man. Steve Williams was methodical and patient. These contrasting styles led to tension over time.

An example was during the Open Championship in 1989. Norman’s decision-making to take dangerous shots resulted in a confrontation with Steve Williams. This clash was a turning point in their relationship. Also, the growing popularity of Greg Norman attracted more media coverage. Steve Williams said that she was under pressure not only to manage Norman’s golf but also his image. The media also played a big role in their interactions by amplifying the situation and making it even worse.

Greg Norman took certain actions that affected the company without informing Williams. This sidelining was very painful to the caddie because he felt that his skills were not being utilized as they should. Williams later on felt that it was about time that he changed his team and so he did.

Steve Williams continued to caddie for other famous golfers including Tiger Woods.

Since 2019, when Tiger Woods grabbed his 15th major, the GOAT Debate has been never-ending. On one hand, it’s the 48-year-old, and on the other, it’s 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus. The Golden Bear has the majors, while Woods has total PGA Tour wins (82). One thing is common though: Both have 0 Olympic wins.

However, in a recent viral post on X, Jamie Kennedy posted a theory about the majors crowing players like the Olympics with gold, silver, and bronze medals. And surprisingly, there too, Nicklaus dominated Woods. Massively! As per their current standings, the 84-year-old would have amassed 18 gold 19 silver, and 9 bronze medals, representing his marvelous first, second, and third finishes at the majors.

Woods, on the other hand, would have 15 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze medals. And while this is nothing but a theory, it does show that when it came to the big 4 events in golf. Jack Nicklaus was a force that perhaps even Tiger Woods could never keep up with.

Interestingly, currently, Woods and Nicklaus have reversible ages. The veteran is 84 while the golf champ is 48. Yet these debates of one being better than the other persist. But when it comes to internal relations between the two, things couldn’t be more friendly. Woods looks up to Nicklaus as a mentor. He often even seeks out his advice. As for the senior golfer, he’s always rooting for the 25-time major winner. Even now!

Jack Nicklaus believes Tiger Woods has a lot more to give

Can Tiger Woods still roar? Golf legend Jack Nicklaus certainly thinks so! At the 2000 PGA Championship, Woods’ unbelievable performance convinced Nicklaus, then 60, to hang up his golf clubs. But now, 23 years later, Nicklaus still believes that 48-year-old Woods still has what it takes.

Nicklaus, who, keep in mind, was the biggest thing in golf back in the late 1900s, has been impressed with Woods’s recent performances, including the display he put on at the Masters earlier this year. Woods made the cut with an impressive first 2 days. And even though he finished dead last on Sunday, Nicklaus believes he has it in him to win.

“Tiger has the ability to still play,” Nicklaus said at the Legends Luncheon according to Golf Digest. “He doesn’t play, obviously, quite as well as he did, but I think a lot of that is his physical ailments.” And well, it is true. Tiger Woods has had his fair share of injuries in the past couple of years. From his knee to his back, Woods has had several surgeries too, and that has affected both his skill and appearance on the greens. But the 15-time major winner remains adamant that he can win. And with the other GOAT in golf agreeing, who’ll dare contest that?

Steve Williams is a world-renowned caddie and for all the right reasons. But you might also remember him from the infamous firing incident he had with Tiger Woods. The 15-time major winner fired Williams after 12 years of service after the 2011 US Open. That did not demotivate the veteran caddie, as he continued to do what he loved and even wrote a book, Out of the Rough: Inside the Ropes with the World’s Greatest Golfers, that came out in 2015. This was his memoir, which consisted of moments from inside the ropes from his time caddying for the golf greats. Successful stints have now helped Steve Williams to have a net worth of $20 million.

Based on his extensive experience, Williams shares the surprising key to his success in his memoir. Notably, this strategy was often employed with none other than Tiger Woods himself, revealing a fascinating dynamic between the two.

Steve Williams played mind games to be fearless

In his book, the 60-year-old caddie revealed a surprising tactic he used to get the best out of his players: occasionally withholding or distorting information. This unorthodox approach was employed to influence players’ decision-making and boost confidence in high-pressure situations.

When golfers face uncertain situations, such as navigating creeks or thick rough, they rely on their caddie for clear guidance. And the renowned looper stressed the importance of providing absolute certainty in these moments, even if it means making tough calls. He puts it in his book on page number 25, “If a player asks you a question, they don’t want to hear umming and ahhing—they want a firm answer.” This emphasis on certainty led Williams to sometimes withhold or distort information, such as yardages, to influence his players’ decisions.

Williams admits to using this tactic with Tiger Woods, saying, “I often did this with Tiger.” He acknowledged that this approach may seem unorthodox but argued it was necessary to give his players the edge they needed to win. As he wrote, “In those cases, I was less of a confidence booster than a confidence trickster.”

Moreover, his unconventional tactics, blended with Woods’s extraordinary talent, created an unbeatable synergy that ruled the golf world for over a decade. The Williams-Woods era (1999–2011) was a golden age in golf, with Tiger Woods claiming 13 major championships under the looper’s guidance, which he has acknowledged in the past.

But is Tiger Woods the only top name the Hall of Famer caddie has ever caddied for? No, he has some other big names up his sleeve. Let’s explore the highlights of his journey and some of the players he’s worked with.

Williams’ illustrious career beyond Tiger Woods 

While his partnership with Tiger Woods is iconic, Williams’s caddying journey began long before. At just ten years old, he started caddying at his home club in New Zealand. By 13, he worked with Australian legend Peter Thomson, a five-time Open Championship winner.

At just 19, Williams joined forces with Greg Norman in 1982, caddying for him in Asia, Australia, and Europe. After a brief stint in the US with Norman, he was let go in 1989 but quickly found work with Raymond Floyd. He caddied for Floyd on the regular and senior US tours until 1999, amassing a wealth of experience and expertise.

This extensive background laid the groundwork for his future success, including his remarkable partnership with Woods. With a career spanning over four decades, the looper has worked with some of golf’s biggest names, including Adam Scott, LPGA golfer Danielle Kang, and Jason Day.

The candid insight offered a glimpse into the psychological trickery behind the scenes in professional golf.