New Zealander Steve Williams, who has caddied for Woods since 1999, was in Queenstown fund-raising at the Jacks Point golf course for his charity, the Steve Williams Foundation.
Williams said Woods, who has not played since his dramatic win in the US Open last June and then underwent reconstruction surgery on his left knee soon after (he played the event with a double stress fracture in the same leg), had been focusing on the birth of his second child, Charlie Axel, who was born last weekend.
Nine months without playing golf was a "long time", and Williams said it would be interesting to see what 2009 would bring.
"I think the best comment I've heard is they haven't operated on his heart and they haven't operated on his head. Those are his two strongest instruments."
The man who has stood beside Woods for 10 years, would find little more satisfaction than seeing the golfing star equal and then better Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles.
"If anybody can do it [beat Nicklaus' record], there's no question Tiger can.
"It's a tall order to win two [majors] in 2007 and one in 2008, to go from 11 to 14 in two years.
"A lot can happen, but as long as he stays healthy and motivated [he can do it]."
For Williams, the thought of being the caddy for the world's best in the record-breaking win kept the excitement alive.
"The goal to try and surpass that record is motivation enough.
"If I can complete my career carrying for him. . . as the greatest player that's ever played the game."
Asked which golfers he thought might come through to challenge Woods for his No.1 ranking, Williams said it would be "an amazing feat for another player to knock him off his perch", especially if Woods maintained his form.
"Quite often, players say their goal is to improve their game or get to where Tiger is, but at the same time, Tiger is always improving.
"He's a competitive person [and] I think, barring any difficulties that come up . . . I don't see anyone taking over that position."
Yesterday was the second time Williams had held his annual fundraising tournament at Jacks Point, and he returned to the course because it was "second-to-none" in his opinion.
