Sean Foley Interview October 2012

[mvmac]

Tiger Woods is back in action this week at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia. Writer Brian Wacker recently sat down with Tiger's swing coach, Sean Foley, for an exclusive two-part interview .

Quote:

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced when you first started working with Tiger?

SEAN FOLEY: Just trying to understand how he learns, trying to understand physiologically what we had to adapt around. The thing about Tiger that's amazing is at 36, even though he's had issues with his Achilles and his knee surgeries, he's extremely fit. So he can make up for it elsewhere. But just more than anything, it's just trying to understand when you're communicating, when you're getting through, and when you're not. That takes time.

Q: What was the biggest challenge for Tiger when he started working with you?

SEAN FOLEY: Probably how much I talk. And he's not going to tell you, hey, you talk too much.

Q: I'm sure he does in his way. Does he give you a certain look?

Look, you're looking at arguably today at age 36 the best player of all time. With another 12 years he becomes the best player of all time. It's inevitable. Well, let me take that back. I won't say it's inevitable, but he's got a massive opportunity to do it because he is that good. So [I'm] the person that you're going to listen to in order to do that -- that's a big decision.SEAN FOLEY: Yeah, but I didn't know what it looked like. I'm aware now. When he and Justin (Rose) look like they're really paying attention, they've totally checked out. You've got to pick your spots. But when his life is the way that it is for him, and being the center of attention and people who have worked closely with him are now writing a book, trust is earned, it's just not given. I think when you've been burned, people have utilized their relationship with you to better themselves maybe in an unethical manner, what makes this obnoxious, opinionated little Canadian guy any different?

[Beachcomber]

I give Foley props for not thinking that he has the right to publish one-on-one conversations that are deemed to be confidential in nature.  I'm sure it helps to see how furious Tiger and his team got by the release of Haney's book.  Hind sight is 20/20... But again, at least Foley is smart enough not to make the same mistake.

Tiger has a lot of good golf in him... And I really think 2013 is going to be his year.