How an Infamous Greg Norman Moment Played a Vital Part in Tiger Woods Forming the Greatest Partnership Ever in Golf History

One of the greatest partnerships in the history of the game was not between a trainer and a player. It was in fact between a player, Tiger Woods, and his caddie, Steve Williams. Together, the two tore up the courses of the PGA Tour. But before Woods, Williams caddied for another great golfer…The LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman.

Williams and Norman spent 7 years together until one fateful day when they parted ways. This, though a sad time, was a stepping stone for Williams.

Greg Norman narrowly misses winning at Augusta

In his book, ‘Out of the Rough,’ Williams narrates, on page 47, the incident that 10 years later would change his life. At the 1989 Masters, the weather in Augusta was terrible. It was raining and cold at the last hole, and the pair needed a par to force a playoff. Norman asked what Williams thought he should do, and the caddie, having seen that the shark was driving the ball very well, said, “Absolutely driver.”

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Williams explained the situation to Norman and said, “You can’t reach that bunker today in these conditions and you need to be as far up as possible.” But Norman disagreed. He picked up his 1-iron and swung at the ball, but he couldn’t gain enough distance.

The next shot Norman took was off a steep slope. Williams suggested the 4-iron, but Norman again had made up his mind to go at it with the 5-iron. The caddie tried to reason with him. He said, “With a five-iron, there’s no way it can get there.” Williams added, “It will spin off the front of the green because it’s wet. Take the four-iron and take some spin off it.”

But Norman was adamant. He took his 5-iron, and the ball spun just like Williams said it would. The last chance Norman had to make the putt was nearly impossible. He missed out on the green jacket by a stroke.

Williams saw his future set that day

Steve was just as devastated as Norman. He was furious, too, that he hadn’t listened. His only reassurance was Mark O’Meara, Greg Norman’s playing partner at the Masters. He had overheard the whole conversation at the last hole. He said to Williams, “Steve, you did your best.” You tried to persuade him every way you could and he wouldn’t listen.”

Norman knew Williams was right too and told him that, but the incident was still on the caddie’s mind, and a week later he brought it up with Norman again. But Greg wasn’t ready to be confronted about it, and a month later he fired Williams.

O’Meara’s words that day weren’t the only comfort he provided. Him overhearing the conversation on the 18th hole was the best thing to happen to Williams, because a decade later, when Woods was looking for a caddie, he consulted his close friend, Mark O’Meara. And Mark undoubtedly recalled Williams’ advice to Norman and suggested his name to Woods.

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Those were the heartbreaking events that led to the caddie linking up with the golf legend and making history. Do you think things would have been different if Norman had listened to Williams? Let us know in the comments below.