FedEx Cup Play-Off Series leader Hunter Mahan has defended criticism of Canadian-born coach Sean Foley after Tiger Woods announced he was splitting working with Foley.
Woods decision not to further work with Foley has been seen in many circles as a rebuttal on the part of the 14-time Major winning Woods in that he has not captured a Major since Foley began working with him four years ago.
The announcement of the split came just a day after Mahan, who also works with Foley, ended a two-and-a-half year winless drought to capture last week’s Barclays Championship in New Jersey.
“The great thing is that Sean and Tiger will continue to remain great friends despite now not working together and it’s not like it’s been a bad break-up,” said Mahan.
“It has been a great partnership and I know both guys have a great respect for each other, and I think both feel good about the decision they’ve made.
Hunter Mahan defends criticism of Sean Foley following he and Tiger Woods splitting earlier this week.
“So all I can see is both persons going forward without any acrimony between them and that’s contrary to what’s been written in the press.”
England’s Justin Rose also works with Foley and Mahan indicated that both he and the 2013 US Open winner
“Rosie and I both want to play well for Sean particularly for some of the criticism that has been directed at him for pushing Tiger which really doesn’t make sense,” said Mahan.
“Then there’s other people who will say Sean does a great job for Rosie and I but a bad job with Tiger but it did feel good to win, and it did feel knowing there was some good stuff written on Sean after my Barclays win.
“I get angry when people start talking about Sean and Tiger’s relationship when they really don’t know anything and their information is incomplete.
“I read some of the stuff being written about he and Tiger and is was just comical.
“So, as for my part, it was good to play well last week and win when a guy you also work with is getting smeared for trying to help out a guy like Tiger.
“Personally, I feel Sean did a great job working with Tiger.”
Mahan’s victory last week in New Jersey sent him 466 points ahead of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy heading into this week’s Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston and the second of the -four FedEx Cup Play-Off Series events.
As well, Mahan is hopeful his efforts last week will have done enough to earn him a ‘wildcard’ pick when USA Captain Tom Watson announces his full 12-man squad next Tuesday.
“Tom texted me after the win and said congrats, and liked how I played,” he said.
“That was the first bit of communication we’ve had, so it gives me some hope I’ll get a pick.”
Mahan and McIlroy, along with American Ryder Cup rookie Jimmy Walker, will be out in the same group for the opening two rounds of the $US 8m event.
