SHANGHAI — Tiger Woods‘ former caddie caused another sensation, this time by using a slur to disparage his old boss during a caddies award roast.
Steve Williams received a mock award Friday night for “Celebration of the Year” for his TV interview after Adam Scott won the Bridgestone Invitational. That was the day Williams said it was the best win of his life, despite being on the bag with Woods for 13 major titles.
The provision of the party, filled with off-color banter, was that all comments were off the record, yet several caddies couldn’t stop talking about it long after it was over. Approached early the next morning at breakfast, Williams was stunned to learn that British tabloids had gone with the story.
“Why would they do that?” he said. “The whole thing was meant to be fun.” Hours later, Williams posted an apology on his website.
• Fredrik Jacobson is in the lead at the HSBC Champions at Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai at 11-under-par 133 after a second-round, 6-under 66.
Jacobson is one shot ahead of Louis Oosthuizen and Scott. PGA champion Keegan Bradley made two key par saves on the back round to stay in the picture just two shots behind.
• Michael Allen shot a 2-under 69 for a share of the second-round lead with Fred Couples and David Frost in the Champions Tour’s season-ending Charles Schwab Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
• Japan’s Akane Iijima made five birdies on the back nine in a 6-under 66 that gave her a share of the Mizuno Classic first-round lead with South Korea’s Ah Reum-hwang and Taiwan’s Teresa Lu.
Djokovic, Federer on collision course
BASEL, Switzerland — Novak Djokovic fought back after losing the first set to beat Marcos Baghdatis 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the Swiss Indoors quarterfinals.
The top-ranked Serb stayed on course to meet hometown favorite Roger Federer in the final for a third straight year after the defending champion beat American Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-2.
• Top-seeded David Ferrer of Spain beat Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the semifinals of the Valencia Open in Spain.
More NBA labor talks.
The NBA’s owners and players are preparing to climb into the ring once again in their ongoing labor fight, and the latest round is shaping up as the most divisive yet.
They return to the bargaining table today with threats of union decertification and eroding offers from the owners poisoning what already was a toxic atmosphere.
Only one thing appears certain — the threat of losing the season has never been greater.
Two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday that the divide between the two sides could grow wider if serious progress isn’t made this weekend with federal mediator George Cohen, who is rejoining the talks.
