World number two Lee Westwood has hit out at controversial caddie Steve Williams and leapt to the defence of Tiger Woods.
Williams caused huge controversy when interviewed on TV following new employer Adam Scott's victory in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. Despite carrying Tiger's bag for a host of major victories, he described it as the "best win of my life".
That was seen as a thinly-veiled blast at Woods following their recent high-profile split.
Westwood, preparing for the USPGA Championship in Atlanta, defended Woods and his impact on golf, and questioned why Williams was even allowed to make his now infamous statement.
"The only reason to put him on TV was to have a dig at Tiger Woods, stick one in his ribs," said Westwood. "There's obviously a bit of friction there. I didn't see the point in putting him on TV.
"In the game of golf we're lucky that we've had someone like Tiger come along when we have, everyone involved in the game of golf is making more money now than when Tiger wasn't on the scene."
With Woods still yet to face the media ahead of the USPGA, the row is not quite over yet, as most of his questions are bound to be concerning his former caddie.
Open champion Darren Clarke was another man to be surprised by Williams' outburst, but did not think it would put Scott off his game in Atlanta.
"I was a bit surprised yes," said Clarke. "But I don't think it will affect him this week and I'm sure he'll just want to get back to playing as well as he can and Stevie will want to caddie as well as he can this week.
Williams caused huge controversy when interviewed on TV following new employer Adam Scott's victory in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone. Despite carrying Tiger's bag for a host of major victories, he described it as the "best win of my life".
That was seen as a thinly-veiled blast at Woods following their recent high-profile split.
Westwood, preparing for the USPGA Championship in Atlanta, defended Woods and his impact on golf, and questioned why Williams was even allowed to make his now infamous statement.
"The only reason to put him on TV was to have a dig at Tiger Woods, stick one in his ribs," said Westwood. "There's obviously a bit of friction there. I didn't see the point in putting him on TV.
"In the game of golf we're lucky that we've had someone like Tiger come along when we have, everyone involved in the game of golf is making more money now than when Tiger wasn't on the scene."
With Woods still yet to face the media ahead of the USPGA, the row is not quite over yet, as most of his questions are bound to be concerning his former caddie.
Open champion Darren Clarke was another man to be surprised by Williams' outburst, but did not think it would put Scott off his game in Atlanta.
"I was a bit surprised yes," said Clarke. "But I don't think it will affect him this week and I'm sure he'll just want to get back to playing as well as he can and Stevie will want to caddie as well as he can this week.