(IMAGE: Today’s Golfer)

BY BLAKE HANSON

After standing at the side of Tiger Woods for years -- former Caddie Stevie Williams jumped right on to the green -- er -- spotlight, with some controversial remarks. ESPN has more...

“The caddie still has some issues with his former boss. After receiving a tongue and cheek for his jubilant celebration after winning with Australian golfer Adam Scott, in which Williams said, ‘that win at bridgestone was quote the best day of my life, turns out Williams admits those words were aimed at Tiger. He says “It was my aim to shove it up that black arse -- you fill in the blank.”

Williams was quick to apologize -- posting a statement on his web site that reads:

"I apologize for comments I made last night at the Annual Caddy Awards dinner in Shanghai. Players and caddies look forward to this evening all year and the spirit is always joking and fun. I now realize how my comments could be construed as racist. However I assure you that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to Tiger and anyone else I have offended."

Despite the apology, some media outlets are noting the impact this incident might have on an already strained relationship.

CNN’s TJ Holmes offers this analysis....

HOLMES: “This is horrible, the way this relationship has broken down, they did so much together.”
REPORTER: “And you really don’t know what to say in a situation like that besides ‘wow, why would you even say something like that’”

And a blogger for Florida Times-Union refuse to accepts Williams apology, calling it a ‘lame’ excuse. He writes...

“Steve Williams has been a bullying Kiwi in a china shop ever since he took Woods' bag in 1999. Caddies tell you it's part of the job to have a player let you go, ‘just to make a change.’ Williams, however, won't let it go.”

The golf stars themselves are keeping fairly mum on the incident. The New York Daily News writes...

“In a statement, Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg called the comments ‘regrettable and sad.’ Scott, the golfer Williams now works for, brushed off the comments - just as he has in previous incidents when Williams has gotten in hot water publicly for anti-Woods statements."

There’s still no word yet on whether the PGA might discipline Williams.