High profile caddie Steve Williams is embroiled in controversy after a racial slur he directed towards his former employer Tiger Woods.

While on stage at an awards ceremony on Friday, Williams was asked to explain his emotional reaction to a golfer's tournament win earlier this year - given that the caddie used to work for the former number one Woods. He told a room packed with leading golfers and tour officials, "I wanted to shove it up that black arsehole."

According to guests, the comment caused a "sharp intake of breath".

"I have never seen so many jaws drop in one room at the same time", a caddie told The Guardian.

New Zealander Williams was fired by Woods earlier this year and caddied the golfer to 13 major championship wins. Williams was at the annual caddy awards dinner to receive the ironic "celebration of the year" award to acknowledge his somewhat dramatic emotional reaction after his current employer Adam Scott's victory at Bridgestone Invitational last summer. At the time, Williams described the Australian's win as the "greatest victory of my career".

The caddie later apologised on his website saying:

"Players and caddies look forward to this evening all year and the spirit is always joking and fun. I now realize how my comments could be construed as racist. However I assure you that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to Tiger and anyone else I have offended."