Tiger’s Coach Quits
Tiger Woods won 31 PGA Tour events and six major championship titles while working with Hank Haney, who said it was his decision to sever ties with the golfer.
“I have informed Tiger Woods this evening that I will no longer be his coach,” Haney said in the statement released to Golf Channel. “I believe that there is a time and place for everything, and I feel at this time and at this place in my life I want to move forward in other areas.”
The announcement came the same day as Woods told a news conference he was not sure when he would return to the game after a painful neck injury forced him to quit the Players Championship in Florida during last Sunday’s final round.
Woods will undergo tests this week to determine the full extent of the problem.
Returning from a self-imposed, five-month exile at last month’s US Masters after revelations of a string of marital infidelities, Woods tied for fourth at Augusta National but missed the cut at Quail Hollow before pulling out at Sawgrass.
Calling his opportunity to work with Tiger “a dream come true,” Haney said Woods had achieved “a level of greatness that I believe the game of golf has never seen before”.
“I will always appreciate the opportunity that I have had to contribute to his successes,” Haney said.
“However, I believe at this time that it is in both of our best interests for me to step aside as Tiger’s coach.
“Tiger has been through a lot in the last six months, and I really believe that given the chance, mind free and injury free, we will all see Tiger Woods play once again like we all know he can.”
With thanks to timesonline.co.za
Daly Hits Back At Golf Writer On Twitter
John Daly was so irritated that a Florida newspaper wrote about his PGA Tour disciplinary file that he referred to the writer as a “jerk” on Twitter and posted the writer’s mobile phone number for his followers to call.
The Florida Times-Union reported on Tuesday that the file was now public record through Daly’s unsuccessful libel lawsuit against the newspaper. The file is 456 pages and notes that Daly has been suspended five times and cited 21 times for not giving his best effort.
“Here’s the jerk who writes non-news article on debut of my show – call and flood his line and let’s tell him how we feel,” Daly said on Twitter, adding the cell phone number of golf writer Garry Smits.
The story appeared the day Daly’s reality show made its debut on The Golf Channel.
Smits, the golf writer for the Florida Times-Union, said he received about 30 calls after a series of three tweets late on Tuesday night, and nearly 100 calls by early Wednesday afternoon. Smits said most of the callers hang up, and about 30 left messages.
“His fans are very unhappy,” Smits said.
Daly removed the tweets by mid-morning on Wednesday. Bud Martin, president of SFX World and Daly’s agent, could not be reached for comment. The PGA Tour would not comment on Daly’s tweets.
“Over the haters – To me, this isn’t journalism, it’s paparazzi-like gossip. Please try harder to find some real news next time Gary,” said Daly’s second tweet.
It was followed by, “Gnight all but here’s Gary Smits cell number in case you didn’t get it … non sports writer.”
The PGA Tour does not comment on player discipline, but it was forced to turn over Daly’s file to attorneys for the newspaper’s parent company when Daly sued for libel. The file is now public record.
The lawsuit was dismissed a year ago, and Daly was ordered to pay nearly $272 000 (R2.049 million) in legal fees.
The 456-page file includes several newspaper clippings and incidents that already have been reported during Daly’s tumultuous career. It also included some startling numbers – he was placed on probation six times, ordered to go to counselling or alcohol rehab seven times, cited for conduct unbecoming a professional 11 times and fined nearly $100 000 (R753 000).
Daly has not had his full PGA Tour card since 2006 and has been playing on sponsor exemptions.
With thanks to the telegraph.co.uk
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