Golf
Bob Harig, ESPN Senior Writer 11y

Tiger Woods, Steve Williams talk

Golf

GULLANE, Scotland -- It looked like more than the obligatory post-round handshake on the 18th green, and apparently it was.

When Tiger Woods and his former caddie, Steve Williams, shook hands after the conclusion of the Open Championship on Sunday at Muirfield, their brief discussion was longer than usual, with a heartfelt tone and a slap on the back from Williams.

Asked about it after, Woods acknowledged there was more to it than the usual niceties.

"It was," Woods said. "He was saying it was a good fight out there today."

Woods finished in a sixth-place tie, and Adam Scott -- whom Williams now works for -- also had a tough day after leading on the back nine before finishing tied for third.

For some 13 years, Williams was Woods' caddie, on the bag for 13 of his 14 major championships before the relationship soured in 2011. In the midst of an injury that kept Woods out of action for most of four months, he dismissed Williams -- who voiced his displeasure after winning with Scott later that year at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

There was also an incident later that year in China where Williams had to apologize for remarks he made in jest at an awards banquet.

Scott gave Williams credit for a crucial birdie putt read in a playoff earlier this year when he won the Masters over Angel Cabrera.

Woods' current caddie, Joe LaCava, said he did not want to eavesdrop but confirmed that Woods and Williams first chatted on the eighth fairway.

"I think it's great if that's the case if it's getting better," said LaCava, who began working for Woods in October 2011. "I think it's great for both of them. You know, life's too short. It's nice that Steve is making the effort, and I think Tiger to me is accepting the effort and I think he's happy he's making the effort."

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