www.globalgolfpost.com
APRIL 23, 2012
ROBERT THOMPSON
E-MAIL ROBERT
After more than a year of working as
the swing doctor to Tiger Woods, Sean
Foley fully comprehends what it is like
to live in a bubble. Everywhere you turn,
there’s the hum of cameras from 24-hour
news channels, Internet reports about
your star pupil, and tweets that say you’re
not long for the job.
Despite the fact that Foley’s clients
– most notably Hunter Mahan, Justin
Rose and, ahem, Tiger Woods – have had
outstanding years, with more than $7
million and four wins among them, the
Canadian swing coach is staggered by the
tone of the media coverage. Most notably,
he’s stunned by the way people continue to
react to Woods’ return to form.
But earlier this year, Woods achieved
Foley’s objective, and even after a poor
Masters showing, the golfer ranks No. 5 in
the total driving stat, a stunning improve-
ment in what has been perceived as the
weak link in his game. Foley says matching
Woods attack angle and plane is the reason
for the improvement. What’s more, he says
Woods continues to make progress.
“(Reporters) write that I’ve been work-
ing with him for 18 months, but it was re-
ally 16 months and for six of those months
he was in a walking boot,” he says. “To
this point, am I pleased at where we’ve
gotten to? Absolutely. In the big picture,
though – not at all. But it hasn’t been a lot
of time.”
Though Foley loves to talk – most con-
versations with him range from his family
(he’s the father of two young children) to
music or the books he’s reading – he’s
increasingly critical of the short-term per-
spective the sports media has for Woods.
Rather than breaking Woods down, they
should be lauding what he’s done for the
game, Foley explains.
“It is sad to see what they do,” Foley
says, clearly exasperated. “Tiger is im-
portant to golf and we need to uplift and
support him, and not break him down. I
think all of it being said is a little upsetting
because of Tiger – because the fact is he’s
not treated fairly.”
Foley may be correct, but when you re-
side in a bubble, expect the scrutiny to be
like golf itself – intense, challenging and
occasionally unfair. l
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