New Zealand caddie Steve Williams will take to the golf course at this week's US Open despite the injury-enforced absence of his boss Tiger Woods.
Williams, who has been Woods' caddie since 1999, will work for Australian Adam Scott when the major championship begins on the Bethesda course at the Congressional Country Club on Friday (NZT).
Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told the Washington Post said the pairing came about because Scott and Williams have a long-standing friendship off the course.
"Steve and Adam are friends," Steinberg told the newspaper. "When Adam found out Tiger couldn't play, Adam called Steve, and Steve called Tiger. As far as I'm concerned, it's just for the US Open."
Woods, who has won 13 major championships with Williams at his side, withdrew from the Open last Tuesday because of lingering injuries to his left knee and Achilles tendon.
Scott, ranked 21st in the world, finished joint second at this year's Masters and has not won a major championship. He briefly employed Williams's younger brother Phil on his bag a decade ago and split with longtime caddie Tony Navarro last month.
Steinberg played down the significance of the 47-year-old Williams linking with Scott.
"Just like Tiger doesn't want to miss any majors, I'm sure Stevie doesn't want to miss any majors," he said.
