Presidents Cup: Tiger Woods’ ex coach aims dig at Internationals

Some of us are old enough to remember when Hank Haney was coaching Tiger Woods to multiple major wins and non-stop PGA Tour titles. 

He was, without much doubt, one of the world’s top golf coaches.

Nowadays, though, he appears to spend most of his time sounding off on social media – and not always successfully.

Remember a few months ago when he criticised Rory McIlroy’s caddie Harry Diamond following the Irishman’s late collapse at the US Open, only for Rory to hit back this stinging rebuke?

• Photos: Presidents Cup stars (and wives) take to the red carpet

• Adam Scott hits back at Presidents Cup critics

Anyway, it’s Presidents Cup week and, whilst many people are touting Mike Weir’s International team to win at Royal Montreal and end the USA’s bid for ten victories in a row, Haney appears to be having none of it.

Responding to a post by Golfweek, which linked to an article outlining why the Canadian crowd “could be [a] big advantage for the Internationals”, Haney replied with this.

“They will need every advantage they can get and every lucky break just to make this watchable.”

In other words, he appears to think the Americans will win – and win handsomely.

There’s no doubt the Internationals are huge underdogs on paper. Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott are the only two players in the 12-man line-up currently inside the world’s top-20, whereas Jim Furyk’s US side boasts nine.

• Jim Furyk addresses Patrick Cantlay ‘Hatgate’ controversy

• Do players get paid to play in the Presidents Cup?

The US side has an average world ranking of 12.4 as compared to 34.4 for the Internationals.

However, at last year’s Ryder Cup, the European side that thrashed the Americans in Rome had an average world ranking of 29.25 (compared to 12.9 for the US), as well as two players with a worse ranking than the lowest ranked member of this year’s International team.

Little wonder home captain Weir is anticipating a “tight, intense competition”.

“The score the last bunch of years has gone the US’s way, but they’ve been very competitive matches,” said the former Masters champion. “We’re hitting somewhere around 6 billion people around the world with the International Team. Globally it’s huge.

“I think it’s heading the right direction no matter what happens. Sure, it’s competitive. We want to win.

“It’s just a great competition.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor