Int'l Federation: Williams' remarks 'unacceptable'

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SHANGHAI -- Golf's top two tour chiefs and Adam Scott feel the same way about a racial remark that caddie Steve Williams used to disparage Tiger Woods.

There's no place for racism in sport or anywhere else. It was right for Williams to apologize, and that was enough for them to consider the case closed without taking action. Time to move on.

In this case, it could be moving from Shanghai to Sydney -- and it figures to be open for discussion.

PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem and European Tour Chief Executive George O'Grady spoke on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours. Their statement read:

"The International Federation of PGA Tours feels strongly there is no place for any form of racism in ours or any other sport. We consider the remarks of Steve Williams, as reported, entirely unacceptable in whatever context. We are aware that he has apologised fully and we trust we will not hear such remarks ever again. Based on this, we consider the matter closed, and we will have no further comment."

Scott was grilled anew Sunday after the final round of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions on whether Williams will stay on his bag.

"Absolutely," Scott said.

Williams was roasted at a caddies award party for the exuberant TV interview he gave on the 18th green of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational right after Scott won. The Bridgestone Invitational was two weeks after Woods had fired Williams.

Williams' comment, while said at a private gathering in which all comments were considered off the record, quickly spread after a caddie shared what was said to a group of British reporters who were not there and not bound by the agreement.

It was all the talk the next two days of the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, especially when Scott stayed in contention, and even as Martin Kaymer birdied nine of his last 12 holes for a 63 to win by three shots.

Scott was shown a copy of the International Federation of PGA Tours' statement after signing his card, and said he felt comfortable with it.

"I don't think anyone condones racism in sport or anything," Scott said.

Scott, who closed with a 73 Sunday and tied for 11th at the HSBC Champions, now heads to Sydney for the Australian Open. Woods also is playing golf's fourth-oldest championship, and a press conference was scheduled for Tuesday morning. Organizers had planned long ago to put Woods and Scott in the same group for the opening two rounds, along with Jason Day.

The following week is the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne, where Scott and Woods could face each other in any of the four days of competition.

Scott tried to deflect speculation that he could be walking into a frenzy Down Under.

"Hopefully, it's just for my good play rather than anything else. I don't think there's a story going forward," he said, adding that "the matter has been put to bed and I've got nothing more to talk about it with anyone. So I'm moving on."