Tiger's caddie meant 'no harm' with Mickelson remarks

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Tiger Woods' caddie said Monday night he regrets his disparaging comment about Phil Mickelson at a charity dinner, saying he was making light of the Ryder Cup and his dislike for him.

"I don't deny that him and I don't get along," Steve Williams told the Associated Press from his home in New Zealand. "I shouldn't have said it, but no harm was meant. I was just having some fun."

Williams was quoted in the Taranki Daily News as saying he wouldn't call Mickelson a great player "because I think he's a (expletive)." In an interview the next day with another New Zealand newspaper, the Sunday Star Times, Williams confirmed making the comment and said it was no secret they don't get along.

Woods criticized his caddie and said he would handle it privately.

"I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect," Woods said in a statement. "It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with."

Mickelson's management company issued a statement Sunday evening to respond to what it called "grossly inaccurate and irresponsible statements" by Williams. It included a 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 (Jim Mackay) on my bag and representing me," Mickelson said.

Williams, who is coming up on the 10-year anniversary of working for the world's No. 1 player, said he was speaking at a charity dinner for his foundation when he made the comment.

"I was on stage doing a Q & A with the crowd when the question came up about playing with Mickelson in the Ryder Cup," Williams said, referring to the infamous Woods-Mickelson pairing at Oakland Hills in 2004. "It was a lighthearted conversation. One guy asked me about the tee shot Phil hit on the final hole when I said it."

Woods and Mickelson lost both their matches, with Mickelson hitting a 3-wood off the 18th tee into an unplayable lie that cost them the foursomes match against Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.

"There was never any conversation about Tiger and Phil -- it was me and Phil," Williams said. "The whole thing has been taken way out of context. I shouldn't have said it; I agree with that. People say funny things all the time at these things. It was not meant to be any harm. It was one of those lighthearted, funny things."

Williams said he has spoken to Woods, but declined to discuss their conversation. He said he has not spoken to Mickelson, but would if he had his phone number.

And what would he say?