Six-times PGA Tour winner Hunter Mahan used to share the same swing coach as Tiger Woods and, purely as a golf fan, he has been left stunned and confused by his fellow American’s recent struggle for form.
Former world number one Woods plunged to new depths when he posted the worst 72-hole total of his PGA Tour career at last week’s Memorial Tournament, which included a mind-boggling 13-over-par 85 in the third round.
Mahan, who got to know Woods well as a teammate for the United States at the 2010 Ryder Cup and also at the past four Presidents Cups, says the biggest thing he has noticed in the 14-times major champion is a diminished enjoyment for the game.
“I haven’t watched a ton of what Tiger is doing but I have definitely watched a little bit of it because it is so confusing that a player of his calibre is struggling this much,” Mahan said.
From a fan’s perspective, I just don’t see him enjoying the game as much as he used to. I don’t know why
“From a fan’s perspective, I just don’t see him enjoying the game as much as he used to. I don’t know why. Technically, it’s definitely not there for him after six, seven or eight months of [Chris] Como.”
Woods has had four swing coaches during his professional career and began working with Como late last year after parting ways with Mahan’s instructor, Sean Foley, in August.