Golf caddie Williams not racist: Norman

Embattled caddie Steve Williams has received some welcome support from two of the biggest names in world TaylorMade R11 Irons
on Monday, with Greg Norman believing Adam Scott should stick by the veteran bag man.
Williams caused a storm when he referred to former long-time employer Tiger Woods as a "black arsehole" while addressing a caddies' awards party in Shanghai last Friday.
Although Williams has since apologised and the bosses of both the US and European Tours have declared the matter closed, Scott arrived in Sydney on Monday under pressure to fire or suspend the 47-year-old ahead of this week'sTaylorMade R11 Irons at The Lakes.
Norman said Williams, given his acrimonious split earlier this year from the 14-times major champion, had been foolish to believe his provocative remark about Woods wouldn't become big news.
"I think Steve was under the belief that was a closed environment but unfortunately that is not the case in this world nowadays," he said.
But asked if Scott should sack the 47-year-old, Norman said: "Not at all".
"Steve's not a racist.
"We've all made stupid comments at stupid times. Unfortunately his stupid TaylorMade R11 Irons
became global news. I know he probably regrets saying it.
"But I guarantee in that room that night there was probably some heavier things said.
"Because of the temperature that was going on between the two of them, anything that is said or not said is going to exacerbate whatever that feeling is.
"Golf needs the cohesiveness that's always existed. There's always been underlying currents; not everybody loves everybody and the people who dislike each other, we just have a tendency of parting our ways and not seeing each other.
"But to have it play out like it's played out has been a bit sad for the game of TaylorMade R11 Irons ."
American Johnson, the top-ranked player at this week's Open, agreed with Scott that Williams' remark had been misconstrued.
Williams won the TaylorMade R11 Irons
award for best caddie celebration after Scott won the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron in July.