In 1999, while the golfing world was still dominated by established stars like David Duval, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, and Nick Price, a young Tiger Woods was already plotting his path to surpass Jack Nicklaus‘s record of 18 major championships.
He just needed the right partner on the bag. That partner would turn out to be Steve Williams, whose 24-hour decision window would change the trajectory of golf history forever.
In a recent appearance on the High Performance Podcast, Williams opened up about that pivotal meeting at Tiger Woods‘s Orlando home. “I knew he had lofty goals,” Williams recalled, referring to their discussion when Woods was just 23 years old with only one major win (1997 Masters). “It was fantastic to see someone had such a strong desire to break Jack’s record of 18 majors.” This ambitious vision from the young golfer made a strong impression on Williams.
Despite the exciting opportunity, Williams didn’t immediately accept the position. He recognized the intensity that would come with the job. “I knew the job would be intense, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy job,” Williams explained, acknowledging the unique challenges of caddying for Woods.
Despite being relatively early in his career, Woods was already generating unprecedented media attention and drawing large crowds. Williams understood that the role would involve managing not just the golf bag but also the enormous spotlight, media scrutiny, and the pressure of Woods’s own expectations for greatness. He took a full day to consider the offer, consulting with close friends and reflecting on the magnitude of the decision.
The choice wasn’t simple. Williams had previously worked for Greg Norman, the world’s top-ranked player at the time. Yet something about the young Woods caught his attention. “I didn’t sort of say to him when I was at his house I didn’t tell him right there and then I was going to take the job,” Williams said. “But I thought about it for 24 hours.”
via Imago
Williams’s previous experience caddying for Norman in Australia had prepared him somewhat for the spotlight. “He was an Australian icon, and everywhere he went in Australia, there was a lot of fanfare,” Williams noted. Still, he understood that working with Woods would bring an entirely different level of attention and pressure. After careful consideration, Williams took the plunge—a decision that would forever alter both their careers and the landscape of professional golf.
The Tiger Woods and Steve Williams legacy: Achievements that defined their partnership
That fateful decision led to one of golf’s most successful partnerships. During their 12-year collaboration, Williams was on Woods’s bag for 13 of his 15 major championships. They created countless iconic moments and achieved unprecedented dominance in the sport.
Their partnership produced the legendary “Tiger Slam” in 2000-2001, when Woods simultaneously held all four major titles. The record-shattering 15-stroke victory at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and the career Grand Slam completion at St. Andrews remain legendary achievements. Together, they amassed 72 worldwide wins.
Perhaps their most iconic triumph came at the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. Woods won in a playoff while battling severe leg injuries. Williams provided crucial advice throughout, including a pivotal club selection on the 72nd hole that helped force the playoff.
The partnership eventually ended in 2011 following a phone call that Williams now regrets. While Woods was injured, Williams agreed to caddie for Adam Scott at the U.S. Open. “I told him [Tiger] yes, and Mark [his friend] sort of said, ‘Well, you know, it might mark the end of the road for you,’” Williams later recalled. His wife had warned him against it, advice he now wishes he’d heeded.
That 24-hour decision window back in 1999 created not just a caddie-player relationship but a partnership that would redefine excellence in golf. What other great sporting partnerships have hinged on such seemingly small moments of decision? Let us know in the comments section below!
