Superstar's caddie may quit after Major achievement

Caddy Steve Williams and Tiger Woods after the emotional 2006 British Open win.

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GOLF'S most successful partnership will remain in place for at least two more years.

But if at the end of that time, Tiger Woods has surpassed Jack Nicklaus' record of the most Majors won, Steve Williams will consider hanging up his caddying shoes.

While stressing he had no immediate plans to end his 13-year caddying relationship with Woods, Williams said his goal was to help guide the American superstar to a record for Major wins.

Nicklaus tops that all-time list with 18. But Woods has won 14 and is closing fast on the Golden Bear.

"The goal is to get to 19," Williams said. "That is what you strive for, that is what all the hard practice is for and that is what you are working on. That is a huge motivation – it keeps you motivated week in, week out to get to that number.

"I don't know if he will get there. But that is what keeps me motivated. And right now, I enjoy it as much as I did 13 years ago when I started [with Tiger]."

Woods was unable to win a Major in 2009. However, he still ended the year with the No 1 ranking – having secured 16 top-10 finishes in the 18 stroke-play events he contested.

What made the achievement all the more remarkable was the fact he had come off a nine-month break following a knee reconstruction.

"To cap it off last week with a win in Australia was a special week for me. I caddied that tournament a lot with Greg Norman. In fact I won it four times with Greg Norman," Williams said.

"The last time Greg won it when I was caddying for him was 1989 and he was ranked No 1 in the world. To come back 20 years later and Tiger is ranked No 1 in the world and win, that was special."

- © Fairfax NZ News