Who Will Be Tiger's Next Coach?

By Matthew Rudy

August 24, 2014

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Photo By: Stephen Szurlej

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Butch Harmon (50-1)

PROS: Presided over arguably the best stretch of professional golf ever played, when Woods won four consecutive majors in 2000-2001, including the U.S. Open by a record 15 shots. Used to the attention that comes with the job.CONS: Not really looking for work, and nothing left to prove. Also probably wouldn't sit well with Phil Mickelson, his highest profile current client.

Photo By: Stephen Szurlej

Hank Haney (100-1)

PROS: Coach during Woods' second renaissance -- a stretch of four major victories in two seasons -- and most consistent play. Experience dealing with head cases (Woods, Charles Barkley) and world-famous athletes (Woods, Michael Phelps).CONS: They didn't exactly end on good terms, and Haney has said it's somebody else's turn to get second-guessed.

Photo By: Dom Furore

Steve Stricker (50-1)

PROS: Occasional putting coach and charter resident inside Woods' circle of trust. One of the biggest overachievers in PGA Tour history, with 12 wins and $40 million in career earnings.CONS: Easing back on playing schedule to spend more time with his family. Woods probably isn't moving to Wisconsin, and this kind of coaching wouldn't exactly be a low-stress hobby.

Photo By: J.D. Cuban

Grant Waite (25-1)

PROS: Former PGA Tour player who won once and finished second to Woods at the 2000 Canadian Open. Considered to have one of the finest swings in recent history, and respected for his technical knowledge.CONS: Going through a TrackMan combine might not be the first thing Woods wants to do right now. And Waite doesn't have a championship pedigree as a coach yet.

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Chuck Cook (5-1)

PROS: Veteran tour instructor has seen it all, from Tom Kite and Payne Stewart in the 1980s and 1990s to Jason Dufner and Keegan Bradley now. Offers an old-school approach mixed with modern technology.CONS: None of Cook's students have been high-horsepower players. Then again, Tiger might need to reinvent himself as a junkballer.

Photo By: Stephen Szurlej

Claude Harmon III (25-1)

PROS: Intimately familiar with the Butch Harmon administration from 1993-2003. Top 50 teacher has proven his own coaching bonafides through work with Ernie Els, Brooks Koepka and Peter Uihlein. Media savvy, and could handle the attention that comes with the job.CONS: Like his dad, Butch, has been there and done that.

Photo By: Dom Furore

Pete Cowen (10-1)

PROS: Well-respected veteran U.K. teacher has been down the reclamation project route before, with Padraig Harrington, Henrik Stenson, Darren Clarke and Martin Kaymer. His players have had recent success (Kaymer, Stenson, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthiuzen), and McDowell and Harrington are friendly with Woods.CONS: If Tiger thought that it was inconvenient for Butch and Hank to be based in Vegas and Dallas, how will he feel about a teacher who works mostly in central England and Dubai? Of course, it's nice to have a jet . . .

Photo By: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Tiger Woods (2-1)

PROS: Knows the patient -- and his physical limitations -- intimately.CONS: Knows the patient intimately. Nobody left to fire if it goes wrong again.

Photo By: J.D. Cuban

Valspar Championship

Who Will Be Tiger's Next Coach?

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Butch Harmon (50-1)

Hank Haney (100-1)

Steve Stricker (50-1)

Grant Waite (25-1)

Chuck Cook (5-1)

Claude Harmon III (25-1)

Pete Cowen (10-1)

Tiger Woods (2-1)

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