Tiger Woods gets rid of long-time caddie

Steve Williams served as Tiger Woods' bodyguard, enforcer and close friend as well as caddie for 12 years and through 13 major titles, until Wednesday. Williams was fired and became the latest to go in Woods' personal and professional upheaval.

Woods did not name a replacement in conjunction with the announcement on his website. "I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change. Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments. I wish him great success in the future."

Woods still is recovering from knee and Achilles injuries and did not say when he will play again.

Williams, a New Zealander who spends time at a home in Sunriver, Ore., was known for confronting photographers and occasionally confiscating cameras in defense of Woods. Boosted by Woods' wins, Williams was reported to have made $1.25 million a year. The pro-caddie relationship became close, with each included in the other's wedding party.

The firing caught the caddie by surprise. Williams said on his own website that the move was made during the AT & T National earlier this month, but Woods never announced it and Williams never mentioned it. With Woods' permission, he has been caddying for Adam Scott.

"After 13 years of loyal service, needless to say this came as a shock," Williams said on his site. "Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger's scandal, a new coach and with it a major swing change and Tiger battling through injuries I am very disappointed to end our very successful partnership."

Those were allusions to Williams' loyalty during the tumult that has followed the scandal that erupted after the Thanksgiving night crash outside Woods' Florida home in 2009.

Hardly anyone remains from the people who composed Woods' inner circle during his peak years. Woods split with his wife, Elin, over the scandal. He parted with swing coach Hank Haney and no longer travels and plays practice rounds with companion Mark O'Meara, who is on the Champions Tour.

Only agent Mark Steinberg remains, and he recently left the agency IMG in favor of Excel Sports Management.