When it comes to golf coaching, few roles could be as intimidating as mentoring the 15-time major champion, Tiger Woods. The constant scrutiny his game attracts can easily be a cause of immense pressure for any coach. However, training a player of Woods’ caliber, arguably the greatest talent in golf history, is not necessarily the hardest task. If it weren’t for injuries, Woods, now 49, would have undoubtedly surpassed Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major titles.
Indeed, the most significant challenge lies not in the technical aspects of coaching Woods, but in dealing with the pressure that comes with it. For Sean Foley, who started working with Woods during a tumultuous period in his life, the experience was a learning curve, shaping his future coaching relationships, particularly with Lydia Ko.
Around 2010, Woods’ personal life began to overshadow his golfing prowess. This was the time when Foley took over from Hank Haney as Woods’ coach. Despite the challenging circumstances, under Foley’s guidance, Woods reclaimed his position as the world number one in 2013. Nevertheless, his major titles remained stagnant until they decided to part ways in 2014.
Recently, Foley reflected on his time spent with Woods during an appearance on Dan on Golf, expressing a few regrets about his coaching approach. He acknowledged that he had been somewhat arrogant, believing he had a solution for every golfer’s problems. He now admits that his success with golfers like Stephen Ames, Sean O’Hair, Justin Rose, and Hunter Mahan may have made him overconfident about coaching Woods.
Foley’s reflections reveal a deep-seated wisdom gained from his time with Woods. He spoke about the pressure Woods faced, being ridiculed publicly, and dealing with a divorce. Foley wished he had focused more on Woods the man, instead of just Woods the player. He admitted that he now finds it amusing that he even discussed golf with Woods, considering the personal struggles the player was undergoing.
However, Foley believes that the mistakes he made while coaching Woods have made him a better coach. When he started working with Lydia Ko, who was ranked 55th globally, he implemented the lessons learned from his time with Woods. He started asking better questions, pushing athletes to find their own answers.
The results were evident when Ko, under Foley’s mentorship, ended a nearly three-year-long wait for a win on the LPGA Tour. During their collaboration of just over two years, Ko climbed to number three in the global rankings. Even after parting ways with Foley in 2022, she maintained her momentum, winning her second CME Group Tour Championship.
The following year did not bring much success for Ko, failing to qualify for the field at Tiburon Golf Club. However, the rollercoaster ride took an upward swing in 2024 when she won her third major title and an Olympic gold medal. The journey of Ko is a testament to the evolved coaching style of Foley, who draws upon his experience with Woods to help his players navigate both professional and personal hurdles.