Haney slammed by Phil’s ex-coach

Hank’s upcoming Tiger book ‘violated our code of ethics’ says teacher Smith

Loyal: Rick Smith, pictured above with former pupil Phil Mickelson, has hit out at fellow coach Hank Haney

Phil Mickelson’s former coach Rick Smith has slammed Hank Haney for writing his ‘tell all’ book about ex-student Tiger Woods.

Haney, who was Woods’ swing coach 2004 until 2010, when he stood down from the post, has written ‘The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods’. The intimate account of the two’s working relationship also reportedly features Haney’s observations about the former world No.1’s personality and relationships, and is due to go on sale next week.

His decision to write the book has split opinion throughout the golf industry, with some praising him for it and others criticising him. Smith falls firmly amongst the latter.

He had a long-standing working relationship with four-time major-winner Mickelson that ended in 2007 when the left-hander teamed-up with Woods’ former coach Butch Harmon.

Even so, Smith insists he could never be tempted to do what Haney has done and ‘violate the code of player-teacher confidentiality’ as he calls it.

“I would rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I’d do that,” said Smith in an interview with ESPN.

CONTINUES BELOW…

Broken relationship: Hank Haney and Tiger Woods have fallen out over the former’s book about the latter

“In 27 years out here, I’ve never done that. I’m personally upset with Hank because he’s broken and violated our code of ethics. If you have the opportunity and you’re privileged to conversations, you will not and should not share anything from them with anyone. I don’t care who it is.

“For all the guys who have committed their lives to teaching, this should be very upsetting and I know that I’m not the only one that feels this way. What Hank did is against the rules.”

Several excepts from the book have already been leaked online and have, up to now, focused largely on Woods’ obsession with the Navy SEALS. Haney goes so far as to imply that the 14-time major-winner was on the brink of quitting golf at the height of his powers to pursue a new career with the famous military unit.

In one extraordinary incident, Haney claims that Woods once gripped him around the neck and boasted: “I could kill you in two seconds.”

Haney writes: “After his training, explained about the different martial arts that are incorporated in the SEAL style of hand-to-hand combat. Once, in his living room, he had me stand up so he could demonstrate some moves.

“He got me in one position with his arm around my neck where I couldn’t really move. ‘From here,’ he said, ‘I could kill you in about two seconds.’ I kind of laughed and said: ‘Please don’t.'”

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Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered