Adam Scott road-testing replacements for caddie Steve Williams

ADAM Scott returns home without the familiar figure of caddie Steve Williams by his side.

Australian golfer Adam Scott with his former caddie Steve Williams.

ADAM Scott is about to return home. About to defend his Australian Masters and PGA titles. About to seek retribution for his 72nd hole defeat at the hands of Rory McIlroy at last year’s Australian Open.

He’ll do it without a familiar face, having parted ways with Steve Williams after the Kiwi decided being a fulltime caddie was no longer his bag.

One of golf’s great partnerships has come to an end, and Scott is in the throes of road-testing replacements. Thus far, applications have come from far and wide. Scott estimates there have been more than 100 in total, including one from a bloke in Florida who spends his days caring for his mother.

The interest comes as no surprise. The honour of carrying Scott’s bag for the foreseeable future carries with it some unique benefits. First, there is a share of Scott’s winnings. This year, they amounted to more than $4 million on the PGA Tour alone. All up, they’re over $40m.

Then there’s also the sort of experience money can’t buy. The opportunity to stand alongside one of the giants of the sport as he tackles the majors. As he strides the lush green fairways of Augusta. As he attempts to conquer his demons at the British Open. As he attempts to exact revenge for last year’s loss to McIlroy at Royal Sydney.

Scott has already started the process of auditioning the aspirants. They’re big shoes to fill. Williams played a major role in turning around Scott’s career. He is the greatest caddie on the planet. The man who read the putt that won Scott his US Masters, in the process ending the most celebrated drought in Australian sport.

Scott agrees it’s a big ask. Speaking this week in China where he will play the HSBC Champions tournament, with the road-testing in full swing, Scott told reporters: “The way I see it, you cannot replace a Steve Williams. I cannot go out and look for the next Steve Williams. I don’t think that’s possible.

“I need to go out and find what is going to work for me at this stage in my career.”

The partnership with Williams was a turning point in Scott’s career. They won their first tournament together three years ago at the Bridgestone Invitational.

The victory became famous for Williams’s celebration. Still stinging from his split with Tiger Woods, he described it as the greatest win of his career. Stick that in your pipe, Tiger.

At the HSBC Championship three years ago, when the partnership was still in its infancy, the combustible Kiwi made a racist taunt about Woods at the caddie awards. Williams apologised, Scott stuck solid and history was made.

They went close at the 2012 British Open but made amends with a win last year at Augusta. Scott then became world No 1, the first Australian to do so since Greg Norman. Now he’s is flying solo again.

He will use David Clark this week. In Japan, he used Eddie Gardino. After the HSBC, he has three events in Australia, including the defence of his titles at the Masters and PGA, to continue the search. “I need to see a few personalities, see what fits best with me,” he said.

“I had such a strong one (personality) for so long.”