‘His Leg Had Just Broken’: Former Caddie Steve Williams Once Narrated a Legendary Tiger Woods Story

Tiger Woods is no longer the player from the 2000s where he utterly dominated the tour. Woods won 12 Major tournaments during this decade, including his three U. S. Open Championships (2000, 2002, 2008). While the first two were special, Woods would hold his 2008 U.S. Open victory closer to his heart for obvious reasons! 

Woods had just returned to golf activities when the 2008 U.S. Open began on June 12 in Torrey Pines in San Diego, California. The golf legend had undergone surgery in his knee a few months prior and entered the Major carrying a significant amount of pain due to a fractured tibia and torn ACL. 

It is always refreshing to hear stories about Tiger Woods’ 2008 U.S. Open victory. The tournament is special for many reasons. It was also his last Major win before he returned to clinch The 2019 Masters. 

The 2008 U.S. Open comprised a challenging field. Among them stood Tiger Woods, looking to win his first Major as a father. His physical condition was never favoring a victory, but Woods’ undying obsession to win got him through to the finish line.  

But above all that, the fact that he largely played with “one leg” and beat an entire field of talented golfers is truly remarkable. Many of us would be unaware of how Woods pulled it off, so here’s a short story from his former caddie Steve Williams. 

Former caddie details his greatest Tiger Woods memory ever

Golf Digest once reached out to Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams and asked him to narrate one of his best memories from his 12-year stint with arguably the greatest golfer ever. As a result, Williams recounted a story from his perspective about the 2008 U.S. Open, and it was nothing short of legendary.

“At the start of the second round, Tiger began the day on the 10th hole and had hit a wayward tee shot that settled on the cart path. Rather than take a drop in the rough, he played the shot off the path, and at impact there was this horrible sound, like his leg had just broken,” Williams told Golf Digest. 

“The look of pain on Tiger’s face was something I’ll never forget. I said to him that perhaps now was a good time to call it quits. He looked at me in disbelief and just said, ‘F___ you, I’m winning this tournament.’ His determination, desire to win, and ability to play through pain was never greater than that week,” said Williams. 

Tiger Woods made four double bogeys during the tournament, but he also shot three eagles, twice in the par-5 13th, and once in the par-5 18th. A late surge helped Woods force a playoff against Rocco Mediate after which sudden death followed. 

Tiger Woods managed to finish off the par-4 seventh with four accurate strokes, while Mediate missed out on his chances and ended up making a bogey. This victory will always be remembered as one of Woods’ greatest. 

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