Tiger Practices with Coach Hank Haney, Sign of Return?

by Spencer Loomis

The athlete of the decade is sending signals that he is set to return to the tour in time for the Masters.

The latest sign is that Tiger has been working on his swing with famous golf instructor Hank Haney.  The pair have been spotted working together at the Isleworth driving range since Sunday and seem to have plans to continue working together in preparation for the Masters at Augusta National which will take place this upcoming April 8-11. Haney and Woods famously reworked Tiger’s swing back in 2004, a move that eventually paid off.

Tiger and Coach Hank Haney

Haney is well respected as an instructor having taught many of the world’s best golfers and built a fortune selling instructional books and DVDs in addition to operating and maintaining golf facilities.  Golf Digest Magazine’s #2 ranked teacher of 2009, Haney has instructed his students to collectively win every major championship across professional, amateur, and junior golf.  Notable golfers Haney has worked with prior to Woods include 1998 Masters and British Open champion Mark O’Meara and 200 touring professionals.  He has also worked as a motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies like Nike and IBM.

Tiger has obviously proven throughout his career that he has the talent and the physical gifts to dominate on the links.  With his return to golf drawing so much attention, it will be Tiger’s ability to focus that will determine if he is immediately successful in tournaments.  Woods is accustomed to having unmatched fan support on the PGA.  One would have to assume that crowds won’t have nearly the ratio of fans pulling for him as before.  Will this lack of supportive energy on the big stage affect his performance?  Having a world class swing coach and Fortune 500 caliber motivational speaker in his corner certainly won’t hurt.