Tiger picks childhood friend as new caddie

AKRON, Ohio -- For the past 13 years, Tiger Woods had a caddie who became a close friend. Now, at least for the moment, Woods is trying it the other way around.

Woods will return to competitive golf this week at the Bridgestone Invitational with childhood friend Bryon Bell on the bag. The golfer has not formally made that announcement, but Golf Channel and Golf Digest reported last week that Bell will be at least a temporary replacement for Steve Williams, who was dismissed as Woods' caddie after a long and memorable run.

Williams, who now caddies for Adam Scott, made it clear that he was unhappy to the point of being hurt. The New Zealander, who reportedly earned millions while carrying Woods' bag and serving as inside-the-ropes enforcer, told Television New Zealand: "I'm a very big stickler for loyalty and I stuck with Tiger through his difficult period when a lot of people thought I should have left his side."

But Woods apparently is a big stickler for loyalty, too. And rather than choose an experienced tour caddie for his first full round of competitive golf since the Masters, he has chosen Bell, with whom he grew up and to whom he remains close.

Bell is president of Woods' golf course design business -- an operation that, like most everything else associated with Woods -- has hit on hard times. Proposed projects in Dubai, Mexico and North Carolina never have gotten done, for various reasons, notably the staggering world economy.

Given the upheaval in his life -- divorce, new swing instructor, new swing, new management company, a new and much leaner list of endorsements -- Woods wants someone with whom he feels comfortable. Bell has caddied for Woods before, including the 2005 Funai Classic at Walt Disney World and Woods' third consecutive U.S. Amateur championship in 1996.

Bell also was linked to the scandal that shook Woods' empire. Several news outlets released emails in 2009 and 2010 that reportedly were sent by Bell to women with whom Woods had affairs. Woods removed blame from Bell, saying that no one in his inner circle knew the extent of his behavior.

Woods has not played in a tournament since his knee and Achilles injuries forced him to withdraw after nine holes of The Players championship in May. He is returning to a comfortable venue. Firestone Country Club, site of the Bridgestone, is like another old friend because he has won here seven times. There is no cut at the Bridgestone, a World Golf Championships event, so barring injury, he is guaranteed to play four rounds as a tuneup for the PGA Championship next week.

Golf Channel reported Monday that Woods will be paired for the first two rounds with yet another old friend, Darren Clarke, the British Open champion.

Woods practiced Monday at Atlanta Athletic Club, site of the PGA. The PGA of America displayed on its website a photo of Woods playing the course at which he will shoot for his 15th major championship.