Tiger Woods has decided to leave his caddy Steve Williams

The former world No. 1 decided to leave Williams who has been his caddy for over ten years.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it’s time for a change … I wish [Steve] great success in the future,” Woods said in a statement on his website.

Having been at his side for a long time, even during the 2009-2010 cheating scandal, Steve Williams found the separation difficult: “After 13 years of loyal service needless to say this came as a shock,” he says.

“Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger’s scandal, a new coach and with it a major swing change… I’m very disappointed to end our very successful partnership at this time.”

Associated since March 1999, Tiger and his caddy have won all 13 of the 14 American Grand Slam titles. During this period, Williams received 10% of the income of his employer, enough to make him New Zealand’s highest paid “sportsman” from the last decade.

The New Zealander announced he would now work for another Australian: Adam Scott, who ranks 17th worldwide.