Adam Scott looks a Major threat with Tiger Woods's caddie by his side

Brief encounter: Steve Williams and Adam Scott at Congressional this week
David Smith13 April 2012

Tiger Woods is the most notable absentee from this week's US Open yet the former world No1 remains a topic of conversation around the Congressional Country Club.

Woods has succumbed to the lingering knee and Achilles complaints that may yet wreck his hopes of adding to a haul of 14 Majors. However, his caddie, Steve Williams, has flown in to carry the bag of fellow antipodean Adam Scott.

Williams, a New Zealander, has not worked for another golfer since teaming up with Woods at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 1999, and his presence at Congressional has shortened the odds on Scott claiming a maiden Major.

Williams's paced yardages, quietly proffered advice and vocal crowd control helped Woods to 13 of his Major triumphs. Now Scott, the 30-year-old Australian, is hoping a little of that magic rubs off on him after he parted with long-serving Tony Navarro.

"That's how it goes," Scott said. "It was time to make a change. It sucks because we had a lot of good times. These good things kind of come to an end at some point. You move on."

The link-up with Williams, 47, was a natural one. The two have known each other since 2000 when Scott and Woods both worked with coach Butch Harmon and often played practice rounds together.

Scott added: "And there was the Australia-New Zealand thing. We always had a lot to talk about, especially sportswise.

"He's been a good friend, a bit of a confidant in my career.

"I thought it would be worth a call seeing as I'm between guys at the moment. I'm glad he hopped on a plane and came over. Now I've got to make the most of him."

But what if this team have a good week at Congressional? Does Scott think he might attempt to make the arrangement permanent? Could he lure Williams away from Woods?

Scott is a realist and accepts he'll be looking for another caddie very soon. "Steve is Tiger's guy," he said. "That's how it is."

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