"Having a quiet word with Steve is not very easy," Scott said of Steve Williams with a sly smile. "He's a big guy, you know."
Outspoken too, as any golf fan who didn't already know found out with his words following Scott's victory at the Bridgestone Invitational.
But though many critics ripped Williams for stealing the spotlight in a rant against old boss Tiger Woods, Scott proved far more forgiving.
"I kind of think it's been blown out of proportion," Scott said Tuesday. "I guess it's newsworthy stuff; I don't know. Steve was obviously delighted to win, as was I. And, you know, speaking with a bit of emotion."
It was Scott's first victory with Williams toting his bag, having snatched him up as soon as Woods cut him loose. And it took place in Woods' first start after a 12-week layoff — putting Williams in the spotlight as much as Scott.
Among the quotes: "I've been caddying 33 years, and it's the best win of my life — and I'm not joking." Williams also disputed the timeline of his firing, saying he was dismissed by phone before he and Woods met at the AT&T National.
Williams' words sparked a firestorm of criticism, with one wag noting the caddie mentioned Scott once while using the pronouns "I" or "me" more than two dozen times.
If Scott was offended, he didn't let on Tuesday.
"If he really feels that that was one of his great wins, then I'm kind of flattered," Scott said. "He's really passionate about it. And when you're passionate in that situation — it all got a little out of hand, but we'll just go on from there.
"Hopefully, we'll let our clubs do the talking for the rest of this week."
Woods will have a chance to offer his reaction Wednesday morning, when he sits down for his pre-tournament Q&A.
Clark steps aside
South Africa's Tim Clark, sidelined nearly all year because of elbow problems, will give up a potential spot on the International team for this fall's Presidents Cup to serve as an assistant captain in Australia.
International captain Greg Norman announced the appointment Tuesday during a meeting of potential International team members at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Clark stands ninth on the points list that will determine the first 10 International team members but needs surgery on an inflamed elbow that has kept him out since the Players Championship in May.
"It was a tough decision to accept that I would not be able to compete at Royal Melbourne later this year," Clark said. "But my spirits took a turn for the best when Greg asked me to join him and [fellow assistant] Frank Nobilo."
Coming up aces
Before striking his first official shot at a PGA Championship, Webb Simpson already has a hole in one. The North Carolina pro aced the 264-yard 15th hole, unable to see the result but clued in by the reaction of fans.
"I would have liked to have saved it for later in the week," Simpson told a PGA liaison, "but you can't save holes in one."
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