Tiger Woods Accepts Steve Williams’ Apology Over Racist Remark

Tiger Woods has received a personal apology from Steve Williams after his former caddie made a racially insensitive remark about Woods last week, the golfer told reporters Tuesday in Sydney.

“We talked this morning, we met face to face and talked about it, talked it through,” Woods said, according to the Associated Press. Woods is in Sydney for the Australian Open, which begins Nov. 10.

“It was my aim to shove it up that black arsehole,” Williams said last Friday during a caddie awards dinner in Shanghai, referencing his much-criticized celebration following Adam Scott’s win at the Bridgestone Invitational this summer. The dinner was supposed to be an off-the-record affair, but it didn’t take long for his shocking comment to leak.

“It was a wrong thing to say, something that we both acknowledge,” Woods added. “He did apologize. It was hurtful, certainly, but life goes forward.”

“Stevie’s certainly not a racist,” Woods said. “There’s no doubt about that. It was a comment that shouldn’t have been made and was certainly one that he wished he didn’t make.”

Scott, who still employs Williams, released a statement condemning the remark, reading in part:

I want it made very clear that I do not support nor condone racism. I believe there is absolutely no room for racial discrimination in any walk of life, including the game of golf.I have discussed this matter directly with Steve and he understands and supports my view on this subject. I also accept Steve’s apology, knowing that he meant no racial slur with his comments.

Williams previously issued an apology on his website soon after making the comments:

“I apologize for comments I made last night at the Annual Caddy Awards dinner in Shanghai. Players and caddies look forward to this evening all year and the spirit is always joking and fun. I now realize how my comments could be construed as racist. However I assure you that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to Tiger and anyone else I have offended.”