U.S. Open Update: Clark Withdraws; Steve Williams on Different Bag this Week


Tim Clark has withdrawn from the U.S. Open at Congressional. The second major championship of the year starts Thursday.

Steve Williams & Adam Scott at
Congressional (©USGA-J. Mummert)

The diminutive South African has played only twice since his runner-up finish in the Sony Open in January as a nettlesome left elbow injury continues to bother him.

Clark's spot in the field has been taken by J.J. Henry, the first alternate from the qualifying site in Columbus, Ohio.

Williams to Loop for Scott

Tiger Woods isn't playing in this week's Open as he's still recovering from injuries to his left knee and Achilles heel. But his longtime caddie, Steve Williams, will be at work in Bethesda, Md., looping for Adam Scott.

Scott has been looking for a new caddie ever since parting ways with Tony Navarro. Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, indicated the pairing is only temporary.

"Adam found out that Tiger wasn't going to be playing the U.S. Open," Steinberg said. "He and Stevie have been friends for quite some time, and he called and said, 'Can you help me out at the Open?' "

It's not the first time Scott - a native of Australia - and the New Zealand-born Williams have been associated. Ten years ago Scott briefly hired Williams' younger brother, Phil, as his caddie.

It's not known at this time how long the arrangement will last, as the timetable for Tiger's return hinges on the successful rehabilitation of his leg. The next event listed on his website (www.tigerwoods.com) indicates that Woods plans to return for the AT&T National, which starts June 30.