Back in the day, Steve Williams was one of Tiger Woods‘ most stringent backers. Sharing monumental success together, the team, which also consisted of instructor Hank Haney, elevated the golf great to unprecedented levels.

However, the public scandal that shook the world in 2009 altered many things, including Woods’ relationship with his crew.

Ultimately, the emotions came out, which forced many to exit Woods’ company. One of them was Haney, who had to release a public statement of his intentions after Woods blocked him from leaving.

Hank Haney’s struggles with Tiger Woods

Haney was always under scrutiny during his time coaching Tiger Woods. Indeed, teaching one of golf’s modern-day greats was always going to be a challenging task.

He was scapegoated by the media whenever his pupil went through a bad phase, something which Woods used to his advantage in their last days together.

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Haney took over as Woods’ coach from one of golf’s greatest-ever instructors, Butch Harmon. Filling in such large shoes was always going to be a huge ask, but Haney triumphed in his new association.

However, days after making his comeback following the revelation of his personal life, Woods was no longer on talking terms with Haney. While his relationship deteriorated with the entire team, Woods scapegoated Haney in the press conferences for his poor performances, according to former caddie, Steve Williams.

In his autobiography, titled, ‘Out of the Rough’, Williams revealed Haney had made the decision to leave his post after the 2010 Masters Tournament. However, he was begged to stay by Woods’ long-time manager, Mark Steinberg.

“Hank rang Steinberg that night, after Tiger had finished a meritorious fourth, telling him he was done,” Williams revealed in his autobiography. “Steinberg begged him not to ‘abandon’ Tiger. ‘He needs you,’ Steinberg said. Hank felt a moral obligation not to let Tiger down so agreed to stay on.”

Did Haney last long with Woods?

Despite the best attempts, Woods continued to refrain from speaking to Haney. Barely days after the Masters, Woods played at the Players Championship, where he was far off his usual self.

A day after Sunday’s final round, Haney decided enough was enough and sent a text message to Woods asking for his leave. According to Williams, he received a shock when Woods texted him to stay back. However, it was all over for the relationship – Haney released a statement to the public that announced his exit.

The duo won several trophies together and was part of a highly-successful team. To put it in context, Woods secured six of his fifteen major championships with Haney by his side. The partnership was prosperous but also brief – they worked together for six years and for merely 93 PGA starts.

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