Woods’ former coach Sean Foley opens up, defends former No. 1

Sean Foley hadn’t said much of anything publicly since he was canned by Tiger Woods as the 14-time major winner’s swing coach back in August. That’s changed in a recent interview with Canada’s Score Golf.

The Canadian-born Foley describes an amicable breakup with Woods that has preserved their relationship.

“I love TW. We still talk back and forth,” Foley said to Rick Young. “That’s one thing I’m very proud of. We handled the situation in a very classy way. That’s the only way we would.”

Foley, 40, had every opportunity to bash Woods or anyone else in his camp for how their relationship unfolded, ended or anything else. However, Foley seems genuinely grateful for the opportunity to work with Woods and the friendship Foley says they maintain.

In fact, Foley went so far in the interview to defend Woods’ decision to publish an article on The Players Tribune blasting sportswriter Dan Jenkins for publishing a parody interview with Woods in the December issue of Golf Digest. In that piece, Jenkins brought up several Woods-related tropes, suggesting he enjoys firing people, is lousy to friends and is cheap. Foley wasn’t having any of that.

“Seriously, saying he doesn’t tip? How come he [Jenkins] doesn’t mention Tiger raising $ 300 million for kids?” Foley asked. “Tiger is the epitome of the double-edged sword. Anything he does great doesn’t get mentioned. Anything he doesn’t it’s all over the place. Can you even imagine what the fallout would be if it was him and not Mickelson who called out Tom Watson at the Ryder Cup?”

Touche. Foley’s methods are up for debate, but his logic typically isn’t. And that extends to how he views the bigger picture, not only for himself as teacher to Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan, but for his now-ex-client. While he’s not the camera-wielding man behind Woods’ swing any longer, Foley hopes Woods passes Jack with 19 majors.

“Look, me probably more than anyone wants to see him win five more majors,” Foley said. “He’s done so much for the game of golf and yet he continues to get torn down by all this bulls**t. “

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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