Steve Williams Would Caddie Shirtless if the Tour Would Let Him
May 7, 2008
Steve Williams Would Caddie Shirtless if the Tour Would Let Him
During the third round of The Masters, I noticed that Tiger Woods‘ caddie, Steve Williams, wasn’t wearing a hat. Not a massive deal, really; plenty of golfers — and those tasked with carrying their bags — prefer the look, but it seemed out of place at Augusta National because, well, it’s out of place at Augusta National.
[Williams] incurred the wrath of Masters officials on Saturday when he worked part of the third round without wearing the official green tournament cap. According to other caddies, Steve Williams was approached by an official on the back nine and instructed to put the cap back on, after going hatless for several holes…
Ah, yes, a tradition unlike any other. One caddie, who in no way could be jealous of Williams’ good fortune, had some thoughts on the matter:
“If I’ve got to wear the cap, everybody’s got to wear the cap,” said one caddie, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “Every caddie has heard about what he did and nobody approves of it. Some of these people forget they’re just a caddie. “It should be an honor to come to The Masters. If you don’t want to wear a hat, don’t come. Believe it or not, the tournament will still go on without you.”
Duly noted, anonymous angry guy.
Still, I wonder what would’ve happened if Williams had refused. I have the ability to imagine henchmen, on instructions from the green-jacketed mafia, emerging from azaleas to hold Williams down long enough to duct tape the hat back to his head. Not only would he be in compliance with the rules, it would send a very clear message to the rest of the would-be non-conformists.
Apparently, though, this isn’t Williams’ first run in with fashion-conscious rules officials: Once, at the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan, where caddies also have to wear Masters-style white overalls, Williams peeled them down to his waist.
That’s so Tony D’Annunzio.
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