Woods must ditch the 'sycophants', says Gallacher

Bernard Gallacher has urged Tiger Woods to ditch his management team. The three-time Ryder Cup captain believes the Tiger entourage – who he labels "sycophants" – must share the blame for the scandal which has derailed the world No 1's career.

Woods broke a three-month silence on Friday in a stage-managed apology for cheating on his wife, Elin. Many in the game doubt whether Mark Steinberg and his other handlers at IMG, will be able to survive the fallout. "Tiger needs to take control of his life and get better people around him," said Gallacher. "He's got those sycophants around him... he needs to kick them into touch. He's been very vulnerable off the golf course and that's where these so-called flashy managers have not helped and guided him."

Although rumours still persist in golfing circles of Woods making a competitive return as early as next month, Gallacher does not envisage a quick return – if any return at all. "Tim Finchem [the PGA Tour commissioner] was seriously disappointed Tiger didn't announce that he was going to play at Bay Hill," he said. "He hasn't given any assurance at all that he will come back to golf. He might not."

Meanwhile, Steve Williams, Woods's caddie, revealed that he will wait until after Woods completes his last stages of sex addiction rehab to speak to him about a comeback.

"As he pointed out in his statement, he has one more visit to the place where he is receiving his counselling," said the New Zealander. "Then I would imagine his focus might turn a little back to his professional life, which is playing golf. After this visit I will talk with him about what his intentions are with golf. While he is receiving treatment and going through the healing process, I am not bothering him."