Tiger Woods: After Firing Long-Time Caddy Steve Williams, Who's Next for Woods?

The golfing world has been turned on its ear recently with the news surfacing of Tiger Woods firing long-time caddy and friend Steve Williams.

The pair have been together for 12 years and 72 victories around the world.

If you look back on their relationship, not only on the course, Woods was a member of Steve Williams' wedding as well.

That sort of friendship carries over far from the golf course. Or so you would think.

Sources have pointed out that Williams was in fact informed that Woods was letting him go as far back as the AT&T National earlier this year.

Though the official news of the duo's split came as a shock to many on Wednesday via Tiger Wood's website, saying:

"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said on his website. "Stevie is an outstanding caddy and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments. I wish him great success in the future."

So where will Woods go from here?

Who will be on the bag for him when he makes his return to golf?

A few years ago I would have said that almost 99 percent of the caddies in the PGA Tour would have dropped their guy's bag to pick up Woods bag.

I am not so sure that is the case anymore.

As many know, Woods is not one to let outsiders into his circle of trust very often. I believe he will be hiring from within his own world. At least for a short-term solution for a caddy.

My thought is that he will turn to long time friend and president of his design team, Byron Bell.

Bell is actually no stranger to being on the bag for Woods.

The two teamed up in 1999 and again in 2000 for Wood's victories at the Buick Invitational.

Over the years Woods in fact has had only four different caddies in his professional career.

It began with Mike "Fluff" Cowan, then to Steve Williams. He has had two stand-ins with Billy Foster and as I mentioned above, Byron Bell.

Another person who Woods may look to is Brett Waldman.

He is currently the caddy for Camilo Villegas and is no stranger to competition himself having gone to Q-School to join the PGA Tour this year.

Villegas is also not playing up to his usual standards this season either. Making a jump to another bag might have been in Waldman's future any case.

Brett also has close friends working in the Team TW camp as well. So he would have an "insiders" shot with the man himself.

In the end, I do believe Woods will ultimately hire within and put Byron Bell back on the bag for the time being until he can make a better choice for his future bag man once he makes his return to golf.