Mickelson hits back at New Zealand caddy

This isn’t the type of story that is enjoyable to write about, but it is worth noting that Phil Mickelson has responded to Steve Williams claims that he was a ‘prick’.

Speaking at a charity event, Williams made it clear that he didn’t particularly like the World number three and also hinted that he relationship between Mickelson and Tiger Woods – who Williams has worked for in the past – has always been a frosty one.

Williams went on to say that Mickelson ‘pays me no respect’ and therefore, he doesn’t pay him any either. It’s like an argument in the Big Brother house or something isn’t it?!

Anyway, unsurprisingly, like I have mentioned – Mickelson has refused to let things lie by responding to the rather offensive comments made about him. The American says that the only thing he could think of after hearing Williams’ views was how ‘lucky’ he was to have a ‘class act’ like Jim Mackay representing him as his caddie.

Mickelson then went on to label a story about him told by Williams as ‘total fabrication’. The caddy claimed that a spectator at this year's US Open continuously heckled Mickelson for his weight, but according to the golfer himself, ‘Williams was not present’ when this alleged incident took place.

Overall, this all seems ridiculous to me. What is Williams trying to achieve by being so childish? Phil Mickelson has been around long enough to not let anything like this affect him. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it motivated him even more to have a successful 2009.

Something that would be interesting would be to get Woods views on all this. Even though it is fairly well known that Mickelson and Woods don’t see eye to eye though, I wouldn’t place a golf bet on him condoning Williams’ comments. He is more professional than that.

By Thomas Rooney - A sports writer who blogs about golf betting