The Loop

Woods works with Foley after first round

August 12, 2010

HAVEN, Wis. -- The images don't lie.

There was Tiger Woods on the range hitting balls after the first round.  And there was the swing instructor Sean Foley right there alongside him.

What they were talking about is likely to be kept between Woods, Foley and the two other men present, Woods' agent Mark Steinberg and his caddie Steve Williams. But it's safe to say the conversation was about more than their favorite restaurants in the greater Sheboygan area.

Earlier in the week, Woods was coy when talking about his relationship with Foley, one of Golf Digest's Top-20 Teachers Under 40 who could be in line to replace Hank Haney as the most scrutinized golf coach in the world.

According to Woods, Foley was only in his group for a practice round because he teaches Woods' practice partners, Sean O'Hair and Hunter Mahan. Both the player and the teacher acknowledged it was "possible" they might work together in the future, but it didn't sound like the future was going to mean this week.

The images from Thursday suggest otherwise.

*-- Sam Weinman *