Harmon helped guide Woods to eight Major titles during their 11 years together (©GettyImages). Tiger Woods' former coach Butch Harmon has ruled himself out of the running to be the 14-time Major champion's swing tutor, following Monday's announcement that he had split with Sean Foley.
In a statement released on Woods' website, the 38-year-old American revealed he had decided to split with his current swing coach Foley after four years of working together.
Past relationship
That led to his former coach Harmon, who coached Woods between 1993 and 2004 in the most successful period of the athlete's career where he won eight Major titles, being touted by bookmakers as the favourite to take up the role once more.
However, he has since stated that will not be happening. "No I would not (reunite with Tiger), and he's not going to call and ask," he said.
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Woods split with Harmon in '04 and announced Hank Haney would be his new tutor, who went on to help the 79-time PGA Tour winner cement himself in history with six further Major honours.
Despite the success of those six years, Haney resigned as Woods' swing coach, paving the way for Foley to take up the role in 2010.
Search for a major
He helped Woods rebuild his swing to accommodate the various knee injuries he has suffered throughout his career, but after four Major-less years as well as troublesome back that saw him miss three months of the season - an injury that is still seemingly impairing his golf game - Tiger has called time on his professional relationship with Foley.
The search is not entirely underway - Tiger's refused to put a timetable on it - but one man who certainly won't be taking up the role is Harmon.
As well as coaching Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, Harmon has television commitments with broadcasters Sky Sports, making it almost impossible for him to take Woods into his stables as well.
No coach needed?
Harmon added: “I don't think he needs a swing coach. If I were advising Tiger I’d tell him, ‘you’re the greatest player that ever lived, just go to the range and hit shots.’ Only he knows what his body can and can’t do.
"In this day and age you can get all the technical coaching you need with TrackMan. He’s good enough to do it himself.”
Chuck Cook, David Leadbetter, Todd Anderson and Jim McLean are just a sample of other names in line for arguably one of the toughest coaching roles in world sport.
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