Jack Nicklaus‘ 18 major championships once appeared to be on borrowed time as Tiger Woods racked up 14 by age 32. The golf world watched in awe as Woods dominated courses worldwide. His longtime caddie, Steve Williams, stood by his side through 13 of those major victories. Everyone believed Nicklaus’s record would fall, but injuries, personal troubles, and time changed everything. And now, Williams has delivered a sobering reality check about Woods’s chances.

In a recent interview on The DOM HARVEY Podcast, Williams was brutally honest about Woods’s chances of surpassing Nicklaus’s major count. “It’s unlikely to happen now, isn’t it? Oh, you know it can’t happen now,” Williams stated matter-of-factly. His blunt assessment comes despite their recently mended relationship. Williams had visualized the record-breaking moment countless times. It motivated him throughout their partnership.

“I dreamt about it all the time. Every day when I was home in New Zealand, I thought about that,” Williams revealed. He could picture the historic moment vividly in his mind. “I could see it happening at Augusta. I’d played it over and over in my head.” That dream fueled him during their years together. Each major victory felt like another step toward inevitable history.

But reality proved more challenging than their ambitious dreams. The 82x PGA Tour winner’s mounting physical struggles and multiple surgeries derailed his once-relentless march toward the record. After the 2008 U.S. Open victory, Woods’s 14th major, injuries began taking a serious toll. Williams pinpointed the emotional impact this had. “The moment that picture in my head was shattered, it just was never the same,” he admitted. The dream that had motivated him for years disappeared as the golfer’s body continued to break down. Williams now believes the record is permanently safe from Woods’s grasp.

Steve’s thoughts are pretty opposite from the golfer’s thoughts. At the 2024 Masters, Woods had spoken candidly that he could win one more major: “If everything comes together, I think I can get one more [major],” Woods said in his pre-tournament press conference. “I still think they [things coming together to win] can. I don’t know when that day is, when that day comes, but I still think that I can. I haven’t got to that point where I don’t think I can’t.”

The candid assessment comes as a surprise considering their tumultuous past. Williams once made headlines with comments about their working relationship that were deemed uncomfortable. In his 2015 memoir, he compared picking up Woods’s discarded clubs to being treated like a “slave.” This remark created significant tension between the former partners. Their relationship seemed irreparably damaged. Yet time has healed those wounds.

Williams has shifted his stance considerably in recent years. His upcoming book, “Together We Roared,” reflects this changed perspective. “I wanted golf fans to know I have nothing but admiration for Tiger,” Williams explained recently. Their once-fractured relationship has found reconciliation. Williams now speaks about Woods with respect rather than resentment.

The legendary Woods-Williams partnership remains unmatched

Together, Steve and Tiger achieved an astonishing 63 PGA Tour victories. They also celebrated 13 major championships during their 12-year run. No other player-caddie duo has matched their statistical dominance. Their legacy in golf history remains secure.

Williams takes immense pride in what they accomplished together. “However you look at it, we won more tournaments together than anyone in any other partnership,” he stated proudly. They also claimed more majors than any other golf partnership. Their success speaks for itself through these remarkable numbers. Williams now views their time together through a lens of appreciation.

Their partnership produced some of golf’s most iconic moments. The “Tiger Slam” of 2000-2001 stands as perhaps their greatest achievement. Woods’ 15-stroke victory at the 2000 U.S. Open showcased their dominance. These historic performances changed golf forever. Williams witnessed greatness from inside the ropes every week.

Williams believes Woods’s place in history is already cemented. “I don’t believe there’ll ever be another player that’ll get to that position,” he reflected. He considers Woods’s dominance unrepeatable in today’s game. Even without breaking the 18-major record, Woods completely transformed the sport. His legacy extends far beyond the major championship tally. Do you agree?