JUPITER FL-As the golf world observes Tiger Woods' return to competitive play, Hank Haney, the renowned coach who worked closely with Woods during his peak years, offers a distinct perspective on Woods' recent swing and his potential comeback.
The split between Haney and Woods in 2010, followed by Haney's book "The Big Miss," seemingly distanced him from the inner circle of the Tiger camp. Despite this estrangement, Haney's analysis remains sharp, offering a candid evaluation of Woods' performance, especially after his recent appearance in the Bahamas – his first competitive rounds since April's Masters.
Although Haney did not respond to calls following Woods' play, he shared insights on his podcast. Noting Woods' swing's positive aspects, Haney acknowledged being impressed by Woods' drive length and observed that Woods didn’t appear to be in the same level of physical discomfort as witnessed the previous year.
However, Haney refrained from prematurely anointing Woods with another major victory after his 18th place finish in the Hero World Challenge. Haney pointed out that during their time together, a tournament with five par 5s would have typically been a winning opportunity for Woods. He emphasized that the discrepancy in the par settings of the host course Albany (originally a par 67 for Woods) affected his performance.
Expressing a pragmatic view, Haney stressed the gap between a "shoulda-coulda-woulda" mentality and the actual outcome. Highlighting Woods' need to play regularly and practice sufficiently, Haney questioned whether Woods' current limited schedule would be enough to regain competitive form.
Haney's concern centered on Woods' ability to regain his rhythm and whether sporadic play could facilitate his return to the top tier of the sport. Haney deliberated on the balance between Woods' aspirations, his body's response post-surgery, and the practicality of periodic competitive appearances in climbing back up the competitive ladder.
In response to Woods' satisfaction with completing a tournament without setback, Haney posed a critical question: How long would Woods consider this a success if he falls short of competitiveness? It's a query that resonates with the uncertainty surrounding Woods' comeback journey.
Haney's analysis underscores the challenges ahead for Woods in resurrecting his competitive edge. The coach's insights, while candid, reflect the realities of Woods' current circumstances and raise pertinent questions about the roadmap for Woods' potential return to golfing glory.
As the golfing community eagerly awaits Woods' next moves, Haney's observations shed light on the intricate and challenging path that lies ahead for the legendary golfer's journey back to the upper echelons of the sport.
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