NEWSFLASH: Mickelson and Steve Williams Are Not Pals

I know, I know, I was shocked also to find out that the third ranked golfer in the world and the extremely charitable caddy of the best golfer alive don't like each other.  But, it's true.  We have to accept it and move on.

One of our readers and contributors, Thomas Rooney, posted something over the weekend on the subject.  Basically, what happened was that Steve Williams was at a private speaking engagement at a country club.  He was asked - per usual - what the Woods-FIGJAM relationship is like.  Stevie, known not to be very shy in a private setting, went ahead and spoke his mind.

"I certainly didn't make it to a media person," he said. "I visit a lot of golf clubs and do a lot of speaking for charity and that is one of the questions I get asked the most: what is Tiger's relationship like with Phil Mickelson.

"I was simply honest and said they don't get a long. You know what it's like. You're at a charity event and you have a bit of fun."

Asked if he used the word "prick", he said "yes" and added a few more choice words to the mix.

"I don't particularly like the guy myself," he said of Mickelson. "He pays me no respect at all and hence I don't pay him any respect. It's no secret we don't get along either."

Then, Stevie went on to tell a story that is almost assuredly made up:

The two players were walking down the 17th fairway when, according to Williams, someone shouted "Phil" in Mickelson's direction. The world No 2 did not respond until the fan shouted, "Hey, Mr Mickelson." When Mickelson turned and waved, the fan yelled out "Nice tits". The crowd erupted in laughter; Mickelson went double bogey, bogey and his chances of winning the tournament disappeared.

Williams confirmed the story was almost accurate, adding it was his recollection the incident happened at Beth Page.

But, how do we know?  In Lawrence Donegan's story in the Telegraph, Williams is reported as saying the story happened at this year's Open at Torrey.

As a reader at Geoff Shackelford's site points out, Tiger is much more personable guy among friends.  Phil is better with embracing the public.  Stevie seems to be much closer to the Woods part of the social spectrum.  Because of that, I think he will get a pass from Tiger.

Still, it is curious that not many sites are reporting this stuff.  It's interesting!

Phil responded in kind through his representation at Gaylord Sports Management:

Mickelson's representatives sent a brusquely worded statement to media outlets that included this comment from Mickelson, "After seeing Steve Williams' comments all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones on my bag and representing me." Bones is the nickname for Mickelson's caddie, Jim MacKay.

Mickelson's statement also said the Williams anecdote was an "absolute fabrication" and that his comments were "grossly inaccurate and irresponsible."

In addition, the  statement also rebutted the heckling anecdote, saying that it was an often-told story about the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage in New York, not the 2008 Open at Torrey Pines, and that the story involved a European Tour player, not Mickelson.

The player in question?  You guessed it.  Colin Montgomerie.