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Woods angered by 'self-serving' Haney book

Tiger Woods is disappointed at Hank Haney's forthcoming book © PA Photos

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Tiger Woods has criticised his former coach Hank Haney for writing a "self-serving" book about their time working together.

Woods is disappointed at the impending publication of 'The Big Miss', Haney's account of the six years the two men spent working as swing coach and pupil between 2004 and 2010. While Haney insists that the book will not touch on Woods' personal difficulties and will be a fair account of what they experienced together, Woods believes Haney has breached his trust in the pursuit of financial gain.

"I think it's unprofessional and very disappointing," Woods told ESPN. "Especially because it's someone I worked with and trusted as a friend.

"There have been other one-sided books about me, and I think people understand that this book is about money. I'm not going to waste my time reading it."

Woods is likely to be asked about the book extensively when he makes his first appearance of the year at the Abu Dhabi Championship this month, while the book's publication date - in the week leading up to The Masters - will undoubtedly boost sales but could provide unwanted distractions for the American during the first major of 2012.

"That is what I alluded to earlier," Woods added. "I just think this book is very self-serving."

Haney, however, has denied that he has crossed any line with the book, saying it offers a fair, even complimentary, account of Woods' work and is something the public have consistently asked him to do.

"I was a witness to greatness," Haney responded on Thursday. "And I get asked the question all the time about Tiger. I wanted to talk about it and I wanted to share it with people. That's the bottom line.

"I'm not sure I understand the unprofessionalism part. He hasn't read the book. There's a lot of positives in there. I think he's the greatest golfer who ever lived.

"I was just in a position to observe greatness and anyone who observes greatness likes to share it. I feel like I wrote a book that was fair and honest. It's golf history."

On the course Woods is looking for a successful start to 2012, having won his final event of last year at the limited field Chevron World Challenge. It was the 14-time major champion's first win in over two years - and his first under new swing coach Sean Foley.

"It's hard to believe it's been as long as it has," Woods said. "But for me, winning the World Challenge like that [he birdied the last two holes to defeat Zach Johnson by a stroke], it's a win. I don't have to answer more questions about when my next win is going to come."

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