|
Williams & Woods
look forward to NZ Open
The world's most recognisable sportsman, golfer Tiger Woods, will spend his
Saturday night in New Zealand at the speedway, thanks to the drive and determination
of his Kiwi caddie Steve Williams.
Williams, when he's not lugging the bag for the world No 1, is a devout petrolhead
who loves nothing more than to race his V8 Mustang on the dirt track. And Woods,
his boss and the world No 1 golfer, has been hanging out to see his caddie in
the hotseat.
It will all fall into place on Saturday, January 12, the penultimate day of
the Telstra Hyundai Open Woods is a raging favourite to win.
Williams is on the starter's list that night and the likeable bag lugger confirmed
to the Sunday Star-Times that Woods would be joining him on the whirlwind helicopter
ride from the course, at Paraparaumu Beach, to the speedway, at Te Marua, in Upper
Hutt.
"I'm going to be there, for sure," said Williams, who warmed up with
a start - and a win - at the same track last night.
And the boss?
"He's going to join me there. He knows it's my passion, and he's looking
forward to it."
The world's highest paid and most recognisable athlete spending a night at
Te Marua is probably incongruous, to say the least.
"He probably hasn't seen anything like this. He's probably watched some
IndyCar racing, maybe some Nascar, but he ain't ever seen dirt track racing like
we've got here," quipped Williams.
Williams also confirmed speculation that Woods' mum, Tilda, will be at Paraparaumu
to watch her boy's New Zealand debut.
"She likes to see Tiger play reasonably often, and I'm quite excited she
has chosen to come out here."
Williams believes Woods' father, Earl, will not be coming. He was committed
to work for his son's golf foundation.
Williams also confirmed, before jetting off this week to rejoin Woods for Hawaii's
Mercedes Championship, that the Paraparaumu course needed some drying weather.
"It's looking awesome, but it's had a lot of rain. If we were playing
the tournament now it would be interesting. It's very lush and it will be interesting
to see if they get any drying weather between now and the start. You'd want to
hope so."
Williams said it was important the course hardened so it could play like a
true links layout.
"Para is a links course, and its true test is when it plays like a links
course, which is dry and hard. If you played there right now it would be slow
and soft."
Email
this page to a friend | Return to top of page
Genuity
International, sponsors Golf Today
|
