Although it is no secret to most golf fans that golf legends Tiger Woods and three –time major champion Phil Mickelson are not particularly bosom buddies, it was a series of comments made by Tiger’s caddie Steve Williams that clearly showed how the golfing rivalry has climbed up to new levels.

Steve’s comment, which used an expletive to describe the World No. 2 player, caused a stir among fans and commentators alike. William’s has been known for throwing spectators’ cameras into nearby ponds, but this comment is unlike something that he has ever said, or done before. His close relationship to his boss (Williams was Wood’s best man at his wedding), puts the comment into perspective on whether or not his extreme dislike for Mickelson is a sentiment that he feels all on his own or something that he shares with some on Wood’s team, and even with the World no. 1 himself. William’s comments, which he made on an interview with British newspaper The Guardian, was followed by another series of comments that the caddie made to the New Zealand newspaper, the Star Times, where he confirmed his statement and added that Woods and Mickelson truly have no love lost between them.

"I don't particularly like the guy myself," Mickelson added. "He pays me no respect at all and hence I don't pay him any respect. It's no secret we don't get along either."

Woods, for his part, gave his outspoken caddie a small reprimand, saying in a statement: "I was disappointed to read the comments attributed to Steve Williams about Phil Mickelson, a player that I respect. It was inappropriate. The matter has been discussed and dealt with."

Mickelson’s camp promptly issued a terse statement to the press extolling the virtues of Bones, Mickelson’s caddy who apparently has more class to do what Wood’s errant bag-handler did.

"After seeing Steve Williams' comments all I could think of was how lucky I am to have a class act like Bones on my bag and representing me,” Mickelson said through his representatives.

Mickelson’s camp also took offense on a comment that Williams made about an incident involving a spectator during the Ryder Cup, which Williams later claimed was taken out of context by the press.

Woods expressed in another comment that he and Mickelson have spoken about the matter, saying that both he and Mickelson felt that the comments were inappropriate, but then that matter has been put to rest. Williams revealed that he has not spoken to Mickelson, but said that he would make the call if he had the golfer’s phone number.

Despite the rift that this series of events have made, both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who often appear more distant from each other when playing on the field, have been known to trade friendly barbs in the locker room. Woods has also been quoted saying that Mickelson’s wedge was the best in golf.

Despite William’s comments, Woods confirmed that his caddy will still be with him when he returns to play next year.