• WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

Scott backs Woods' old caddie to make him great

Steve Williams discusses shot selection with Adam Scott © Getty Images

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Adam Scott believes Tiger Woods' former caddie, Steve Williams, has already shown he can help him take his game to the next level.

Scott took the first round lead at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Thursday after an impressive opening 62, as Woods compiled a steady 68 on his return to competitive action after almost three months on the sidelines.

It was the first tournament appearance for both men since Williams was fired by the American and hired on a permanent basis by Scott. Williams had caddied for Scott at a number of tournaments during Woods' injury layoff, an arrangement that was believed to have played a role in the 14-time major champion's decision to part ways with the looper after a 13-year association.

Relations between the two former friends are believed to be frosty, but the Australian hopes there will be no ill-feeling between the two players.

"I don't think it should be awkward," Scott said. "I mean, this kind of thing happens on the tour. It happens a lot every year with everyone, and just because it's Tiger and Steve, I'm not going to treat it like it's anything different than anyone else going through this.

"I don't have a problem, but if he has a problem, then he can definitely tell me."

Scott is delighted to now have Williams on his bag, and believes the experienced New Zealander has already demonstrated the attributes that can help him realise the potential that saw him pegged as a future world-beater early in his career.

"I think he really understands how to manage a game well around the golf course," Scott, who has yet to win a major, said. "That was one of the first things that was really obvious to me.

"I think he just wants to bring a good energy toward me. I think he believes in my game, that I can be one of the best players in the world. You know, I think he thinks he can help me achieve that, and I believe that, too.

"He thinks I can be as good a player as I want to be, but he's adamant that you've got to put the work in and I think he sees that I am putting the work in. [There's] been a big refocus over the last year or so in my game, doing a lot of things I need to do to become better. It's all a bit of a process, but slowly and surely I think I'm seeing glimpses of it."

Williams caddied for all seven of Woods' previous wins at this week's tournament in Akron, and Scott acknowledged it probably gave him satisfaction to get off to another fast start with a new player.

"He just seems to have a lot of good rounds in him around this place, that's for sure," he joked. "He didn't think it was a big deal to shoot 62. It was normal. I'm sure he feels good about today."

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