One of the most trusted sidekicks, Steve Williams, has seen it all! The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and everything in between. The looper was a constant presence in Tiger Woods’s career for a good 12 years. But even the most experienced caddies can face moments that really put them to the test. For Williams, one particular experience stands out as a true test of his skills, instincts, and quick thinking.
Little did anyone know that moment would come in the form of brutal weather conditions that pushed Williams and Tiger Woods to the edge? During the 2002 British Open at Muirfield Golf Course, they were hit by an unforgiving wave of freezing weather. The conditions were so brutal that Williams recalls them being “nearly frozen to death.” The looper recalled this incident in his book, Out of the Rough: Inside the Ropes with the World’s Greatest Golfers, Page 27.
Williams recalled, “I had no wet-weather gear, no extra layers of warm clothing, and we nearly froze to death out there. Tiger shot 81, which at the time stood as the worst round of his professional career.” The harsh conditions and disappointing scores made for a tough day on the course, which left a lasting impression on the caddie. TW did beat the record of his worst round at this year’s Masters, but it was not because of the weather.
As things stand, he has always been meticulous in his preparation for tournaments. The 60-year-old would walk the course, noting where each hole was placed, and combine that information with the predicted wind direction to plan Woods’s strategy. He knew every bunker’s location and how to avoid them. But the British weather stunned him and Tiger Woods’s grand slam hopes, as he had won the first two majors of 2002, the Masters and U.S. Open.
Moreover, Woods also described the conditions as the “hardest” he has ever played in. “We weren’t prepared for that weather. I don’t think anyone was,” said the 15x major champ during an interview with ESPN.com. Not only did the 2002 Open Championship unleash a storm, but it also boasted a field of fierce competitors, making it a fearsome test of skill and endurance.
How did Tiger Woods endure a respectable finish at the 2002 Open Championship?
While Woods struggled in the harsh conditions, his peers fared better. Ernie Els, who ultimately won the championship, carded a 70 in the final round, while Thomas Levet and Steve Elkington shot 66s, and Stuart Appleby matched Woods’s 65. The tournament ended in a thrilling four-way playoff, with Els emerging victorious.
The 48-year-old, along with his caddie, started strong, carding 70 and 68 in the first two rounds. But his 10 over par 71 in round three came out to be the worst round of the championship at that time. However, he kicked in with a remarkable 65 in the final round, salvaging a respectable finish with a T-28.
Well, both Woods and Williams have faced the worst of it and lived to tell the tale. In the end, it’s not the challenges that define us, but how we rise to meet them—and for those who dare to be different, history awaits. Share your thoughts with us on the duo’s journey.
