Tiger 'dumped' by his coach

Florida - Tiger Woods' swing coach Hank Haney resigned on Monday, making the move public on the same day the 14-time major champion said a neck injury was hindering his game.

Haney said in a statement to the Golf Channel that he enjoyed working with Woods but believes it is time to step aside. Haney stressed that the move was his decision.

Woods' recent struggles on the course - missing the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship and his mid-round withdrawal on Sunday from The Players Championship with a neck injury - had fueled speculation that the superstar was about to part ways with Haney.

"I have informed Tiger Woods this evening that I will no longer be his coach," Haney said in a statement posted in an article on thegolfchannel.com.

Woods, who denied last week that a split with Haney was imminent, had again indicated earlier Monday that he was sticking with Haney, who had been his swing coach since 2004.

"I talked to Hank about some of the stuff," Woods said as he spoke to media at Aronimink golf club near Philadelphia, where the AT&T National will be held July 1-4.

"We're still working on it," he said. "We have a lot of work to do. I can't make the movements that I made before because of the neck. I need to get healthy to play the proper way."

Woods withdrew during Sunday's final round at Sawgrass TPC after suffering neck pain. He has struggled since tying for fourth at the Masters, which was his first tournament in five months.

Woods took the time off to focus on personal issues after revelations of infidelity rocked his marriage and his tarnished his image.

Haney said that his association with Woods had led to "some incredible experiences" and "elevated me in my own profession to a level that I never thought I would achieve before I had the opportunity to work with him."

But Haney went on to say he believed it was now in the best interests of both for him to step aside, adding that he believed Woods will rebound from his problems on and off the course.

"I really believe that given the chance, mind free and injury free, we will all see Tiger Woods play once again like we all know he can," Haney said. "I wish Tiger well, not only with his golf, but in finding peace and happiness in all aspects of his life."