Adam Scott under pressure to sack Steve Williams over Tiger Woods slur

Adam Scott is facing growing pressure to sack his caddie Steve Williams after he described Tiger Woods as "that black arsehole".

Williams, who was sacked by Woods earlier this year, made the comment while on stage at a "caddie of the year" awards ceremony on Friday. He later issued an apology to Woods and continued to carry Scott's bag during Saturday's third round at the Shanghai Masters.

It is understood that players, caddies and senior golf figures will ask Scott to consider Williams's position for this week's Australian Open in Sydney – where Woods is also due to play – and the following week's Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.

"It's not an issue for me," Scott said. "I think everything in that room last night was all in good spirits and a bit of fun and I think it probably got taken out of that room in the wrong context. Steve issued a statement and apologised and he did the right thing."

Williams was on stage to receive his award for "celebration of the year" when Scott won the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio in August, weeks after Woods sacked him. "It was my aim to shove it right up that black arsehole," he said on Friday.

Tiger Woods's agent, Mark Steinberg, said: "I was with Tiger last night when he heard the news. We got multiple calls from people who sounded like they were leaving the caddie party. Tiger obviously wasn't there. He doesn't know exactly what was said. But if multiple reports, which all seem to be accurate, are true, then it's sad it's come down to this. It's a regrettable comment, and there's really nothing that Tiger can do or say. He's just going to move on."

Anti-racism groups said Williams's apology was insufficient. Sabby Dhalu, secretary of One Society Many Cultures, said: "I think there should be an investigation into his behaviour and I don't think an apology is enough. The only way to root it out and prevent other people from behaving in the same way is to take sterner action, in the form of disciplinary action and I think an investigation should be conducted."