Employer/Employee Relations - Williams is Mad at His Boss

It's the stage Steve Williams finds himself on now, but for only one reason: he's the caddie for Tiger Woods. And there are those that suggest Williams knew more than Tiger's yardage to that bunker on the left side of the green.

Williams denies any such knowledge as part of an interview on New Zealand's TV3. Williams also delivers a peek into how thing's have been for him since the incident and subsequent worldwide fallout.

"It's been the most difficult time of my life, no two ways about it, because every single person believed that I should know or did know or had something to do with it."

"I knew nothing, that's my answer. I don't have to clarify or extend that answer. I knew nothing. It would be very difficult as a caddie not to know, but I'm 100% telling you, I did not know, and that's that."

Williams is saying he's mad primarily because Tiger let his own family down. I do believe Williams on that point, but I think it all goes just a bit deeper for a couple of reasons.

Most caddies make their living based on their players payout from a tournament's purse. The golfer will pay a percentage of their winnings to the caddie. That being the case, Williams isn't making any dough since Tiger isn't playing in any tournaments. Oh, there's a tad more.

Williams also has a sponsor. Ever wonder why he doffs his caddie's bib when he and Tiger approach the tee on the 18th hole? Now you know. Williams must avoid the "guilty by association" tag that society seems to want to use on him. If that "guilt" is perceived, his sponsor would surely drop him like Gatorade, Accenture and Tag Heuer, among others, have dropped his boss. That is a realistic and legitimate concern. The pocketbook takes yet another hit.

Williams does confess that he would have blown the whistle had he known of Tiger's exploits. Not a lot of fans believe that. They're viewing Williams as playing the role of Tiger's enabler. After all, the most beloved athlete in all of the world was eventually caught with his hand in the cookie jar. So, people think Williams was acting as the lookout.

Maybe he still is...