Steve Williams, who has caddied for Tiger Woods since 1999, denied rumors that he was considering stepping down from his post at the end of this year.
"A friend texted me about that from Europe," Williams said after Woods's round on Thursday. "I have no idea where that came from."
The BBC's Web site reported Wednesday on a rumor that Williams was considering moving on. The article also said that Billy Foster, Darren Clarke's caddie, was in line for the job, but Foster said no one had contacted him about it.
Pete Bender, who works for Aaron Baddeley and has been on Tour for 38 years, was skeptical of the story from the start.
"Why would Stevie hang it up?" Bender said on Thursday. "Stevie's not that old. They have such a great relationship, I don't see Stevie quitting. It's not like Tiger's giving him a lot of grief. It just doesn't make sense. Why would you turn down that bag when Tiger's playing only 15, maybe 20 times a year? Unless [Williams] is going to pursue his racing full time."
Although it seemed far-fetched, the rumor was juicy enough to create a bit of buzz among caddies at Congressional.
"I would do anything for that job, like anybody else," said Joe LaCava, the longtime caddie to Fred Couples who this week is working for a newly minted pro, Pablo Martin. "If anybody tells you differently, they're lying."
Indeed, it may only have been their job-survival instincts that prompted a handful of caddies, when asked about the hypothetical job opening, to profess undying allegiance to their employers. Said one anonymous looper, who is working for a major winner and Ryder Cup hero this week, "I'd take that call."
