Steve Williams, Tiger Woods‘s former caddie who was with him through many of his career highlights, has criticized current PGA Tour players for the slow pace of play, attributing it to how golfers use data to prepare shots. Williams worked alongside Woods for 12 years, supporting him during 72 victories worldwide, including 12 of Woods’ 15 major championships, before their professional relationship ended in 2011.
In a recent interview on the Golf’s Subpar podcast, Williams expressed his concerns about modern golfers’ reliance on extensive information when making decisions on the course, linking this trend to slower rounds and diminished instinctive play.
“I think today, part of the problem is that the information that’s available now has contributed to the slow play on Tour,” he said.
Williams explained that players today often spend excessive time reviewing yardages, wind conditions, and various statistics. This intense analysis, he argues, not only leads to delays but can also undermine a player’s natural abilities.
“There’s just too much information now. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, it’s an individual choice. I feel like some of these guys, like, paralyze themselves, strip themselves of their talent just [by] worrying too much about that stuff.”
As the pace of play issues have become more prominent during the 2025 season, both fans and players have expressed frustration. The PGA Tour is considering several measures, such as reducing the number of competitors in tournaments and permitting the use of rangefinders throughout rounds, aiming to improve the flow of play and enhance the viewer experience.
Insights from Steve Williams on Tiger Woods’s fiercest competitor
During his podcast appearance, Williams revealed that Tiger Woods regarded David Duval as his most significant rival in his prime years. Without hesitation, Williams described Duval as a formidable adversary who earned Woods’ respect.
“David Duval, unparalleled.” “He (Tiger Woods) thought that David had what it took to compete week in and week out and challenge him for number one supremacy,” Williams said.
Williams noted that Duval’s peak performance, though brief, was remarkable. Duval reached the World No. 1 ranking, claimed victory at the 2001 Open Championship, and consistently posed a challenge to Woods during that period. However, career setbacks followed after Duval undertook significant changes to his body and swing mechanics, impacting his competitive edge.
“He was the guy that he had the most respect for and the guy that he thought could challenge him,” he added.
The rivalry between Woods and Duval was a focal point in PGA Tour events during the late 1990s and early 2000s. One memorable moment was the 1999 Showdown at Sherwood, a televised head-to-head match at Sherwood Country Club where Woods defeated Duval 2 & 1. Duval finished his career with 13 PGA Tour victories and held the World No. 1 spot for 15 weeks in 1999.
Why underdogs sometimes triumphed over Tiger Woods in major events
Williams also discussed why it was often lesser-known players, rather than established stars, who managed to outperform Woods in major championships. He suggested this outcome related to experience and mental pressure rather than skill alone.
“They were frequently paired with him and to the point where nine times out of 10 when they appeared with Tiger, he got the better of them in the score that was posted on that day,,” Williams said.
According to Williams, seasoned competitors like Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, who regularly faced Woods, were accustomed to the demanding atmosphere and pressure of competing alongside him. Consequently, Woods often had the upper hand in direct contests.
In contrast, players with fewer chances to confront Woods face-to-face entered major tournaments with less expectation, allowing them to play more freely. This often enabled underdogs to rise to the occasion and deliver surprising performances during critical moments when paired with Woods in final rounds.