Tiger Woods has gone through three swing coaching changes during his career, Butch Harmon (1993-2003), Hank Haney (2004-2010) and Sean Foley.

He announced via TigerWoods.com on Monday, he would part ways with Foley.

The rumor mill started churning out speculation after Woods’ withdrawal from the WGC-Bridgestone that Foley’s days as Woods’ coach were numbered.

Woods was tutored by Butch Harmon even before he turned professional. He won eight major championships and was the PGA Tour’s leading money winner five of his first six years on tour, while under Harmon’s watchful eye.

Harmon is a demanding and opinionated teacher. He draws out the best from his students and builds up their confidence. His latest work with Rickie Fowler proves that even at the age of 70, he still knows how to create winning golfers.   

Foley was in a very precarious position. How do you take one of the three or four best players that has ever held a golf club and make him better?

Foley joined the Woods team in 2010 after his messy divorce and helped guide Woods through his return to golf. He was hampered by Woods’ numerous injuries and the partnership resulted in zero major championship victories.

There was the five-win season last year, when the prospect of Woods donning Green Jackets and drinking from Claret Jugs in 2014 seemed imminent.

The back surgery at the end of March and lengthy layoff again cost Woods a year of no major trophies. He will turn 39 years old in December, with creaky knees and a surgically repaired back.

Time is growing short to reach his career goal of surpassing Jack Nicklaus and winning 19 major championships. Plus the new kid on the block, Rory McIlroy is winning majors in bunches, just like a 24-year-old Tiger Woods used to do.

The parting of Butch Harmon and Woods in 2003 was not amicable. Both men have huge egos and strong opinions.

What a story it would be if both could learn to play nice and work to the common goal of getting Woods back to the top of the golf world, one last time.