Tiger Woods said he’s parting ways with swing coach Sean Foley, in an announcement on his website Monday.
Woods thanked the notable coach:
“I’d like to thank Sean for his help as my coach and for his friendship,” Woods said in the announcement. “Sean is one of the outstanding coaches in golf today, and I know he will continue to be successful with the players working with him. With my next tournament not until my World Challenge event at Isleworth in Orlando, this is the right time to end our professional relationship.”
Woods, of course, has struggled with consistency and battled back injury under Foley’s tutelage this year. The two had worked together since 2010.
It’s been a tumultuous year for Woods. Due to some nagging injuries he’s played in just seven events. He last played — and withdrew — from the PGA Championship and most recently removed his name from Ryder Cup consideration.
Officially, the split was amicable.
“My time spent with Tiger is one of the highlights of my career so far, and I am appreciative of the many experiences we shared together,” Foley said in the announcement. “It was a lifelong ambition of mine to teach the best player of all time in our sport. I am both grateful for the things we had the opportunity to learn from one another, as well as the enduring friendship we have built. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him.”
Foley was the third coach in Woods’ historic career. He followed Butch Harmon, who was Woods’ first coach and stayed with him until 2003 and Hank Haney, who coached from 2004 through 2010 before authoring a revealing book about his time with Woods.
According to Woods, there’s no timetable on when he’ll select another swing coach.
“Presently, I do not have a coach, and there is no timetable for hiring one,” added Woods.
Woods isn’t scheduled to play next until his World Challenge in December.
Through age, injury or strategy, Woods’ swing has undoubtedly changed throughout the course of his career. Even more so, there have been plenty of changes — and analysis of those changes — in Woods’ swing in recent years. When looking at a longer span, those changes are even greater.
Since winning his last major at the 2008 U.S. Open, Woods’ every move has been critiqued. Despite a very successful 2013, in which he was named the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year, Woods’ tenure with Foley faced criticism. There were no major championships won and some critics pointed to the Woods’ swing changes as the reason for his injury issues and inconsistent success.
Most recently, a former player under Foley’s guidance, came out in support of Tiger and against his former coach.
Dear Tiger, Please turn off your brain and leave Foley on the range. You’ll stop missing it both ways. Sincerely, A Player Who’s Been There
— Parker McLachlin (@ParkerMcLachlin) August 7, 2014
Woods wasn’t the only player on tour working with Foley. The swing coach has worked with numerous golfers, including 2013 U.S. Open Champion Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Hunter Mahan, who won Sunday at The Barclays.
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