The Butch Harmon comment which left angry Tiger Woods asking ‘why he would ever say anything like that’

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Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon formed one of the most formidable partnerships golf has ever seen, which would yield eight major championship titles.

Harmon took control of Woods’ swing in 1993. Woods’ father, Earl, had previously developed son’s technique.

Yet, under Harmon’s guidance, the soon-to-be superstar’s game was refined and ultimately primed for major championship golf.

The highlight of the duo’s partnership came during Woods’ 2000 US Open win at Pebble Beach. Many regard Tiger’s victory on the iconic US links as the greatest major championship performance of all time.

However, in 2002, Harmon and Woods separated after they had differing opinions on how his swing would develop. Woods wanted to push the limits of what was possible, while Harmon shared a more conservative approach.

Whatever occurred between the two wasn’t dealt with amicably. And Harmon’s comments about his former pupil in 2004 didn’t go down well.

Tiger Woods and Butch Harmon’s public feud

During the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, where Woods found himself well off the pace whilst under the stewardship of new coach Hank Haney.

Woods responded to comments from Harmon which suggested he was in “denial” about his swing.

“Tiger Woods is not playing well; he is not working on the right things in his golf swing, although obviously Tiger thinks he is,” Harmon told Sky Sports. “He should have felt ‘I could win this tournament by six, seven, eight shots.’ That was the old Tiger Woods.

“But for him to stand there at every one of his interviews and say, ‘I am close, I feel really good about what I am doing,’ I think it might be a bit of denial.”

Woods, unsurprisingly, wasn’t overly pleased. “Obviously, he doesn’t really know what I’m working on, and he’s never asked me, and I’ve never talked to him about it, and no one knows,” Woods said.

“I don’t understand why he would ever say anything like that, especially when we’ve been as close as we are. And we’ve resolved everything, I thought. I thought everything would have been cool.

“For him to go off and say things like that, I don’t understand where he’s coming from. It doesn’t do himself or anyone any good.”

Tiger Woods record under Hank Haney

• READ MORE: The three words Tiger Woods said to Phil Mickelson after outdriving him with a three wood during the 2001 Masters

Despite Harmon’s comments and his ten-over-par finish at the 2004 US Open, Woods’ success under Haney was just as prolific.

The 48-year-old won six major championship under his second swing coach, as well as 31 PGA Tour events.

Haney made Woods’ swing flatter with less wrist cock compared to his Harmon days. The pair split after the 2010 Players Championship after Haney resigned.

The now 69-year-old would come under fire after releasing a book on his years coaching Tiger, confidential information was released which breached player-coach code.