Tour News

Move over, Butch: Nick Watney working with Todd Anderson

Published

13 years ago

Aug 17, 2013

In the world of golf news, there are surprising headlines. Consider this recent bulletin from the San Diego Union-Tribune: “Shear madness: Hoffman cuts famous hair” (Really. He finally did. Photo evidence, here).

Then, there are the less surprising stories that come across the wire, like the news that Nick Watney and Butch Harmon have ended their teacher-pupil relationship.

Butch Harmon, of course, tweeted some less-than-encouraging remarks about his student earlier this year.

Following Watney’s rounds of 82-77 to miss the cut at the Memorial, his coach tweeted: “Wow N Watney +15, didn’t see this coming. Must be having some personal problems.”

Whether a social media spat was the impetus for the breakup is unclear, and it’s not likely that either party will say.

Harmon, for his part, apologized for the comments and elected to step away from Twitter after the remarks. Watney made the cut in four of the five non-major tournaments after the Memorial. However, he missed the cut at the U.S. Open, and again at the PGA Championship.

Some might suggest that Watney would be better off ending his relationship with Nike.

In his maiden campaign for the Swoosh, Watney has struggled. After a 2012 season in which the golfer made 23 of 26 cuts, finished inside the top 10 five times and won The Barclays, Watney has taken a step backward. He’s made 15 of 21 cuts with two top-10 finishes this year, but has missed the cut in five of his last nine tournaments.

Whether it’s the indian or the arrow, is unclear. What is clear, however, is Watney has begun working with Todd Anderson, according to multiple sources. The two were seen refining the Nike staffer’s swing on the range at Oak Hill during the PGA Championship.

Anderson’s stable also includes Brandt Snedeker and Billy Horschel.

Watney is defending his Barclays title at Liberty National GC next week.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

15 Comments

prb

Oct 25, 2013 at 9:54 am

You all are taking what Harmon said in the wrong way. He was just trying to say nick is to damn good to shoot that. Probably because has tremendous confidence in his abilities. As for him being a good instructor you all are assuming these incredibly talented players can’t assess whether someone is giving them valuable information or not. I guess you think they are stupid.:-)

Reply Report comment
Deaus7

Aug 25, 2013 at 11:45 am

Butch is the Freddie Roach (boxing trainer) of golf insrtucters. Takes guys who have already won or are already on Championship level and takes responsibility for everything positive his student does and blames the student for everything negative. Coaches need to leave their egos at home. Golf is not about have a textbook swing, all you have to do is have a repeating consistent motion to produce good results ala Jim Furyk, Fred Couples, Ray Floyd ect, ect.

Reply Report comment
Blanco

Aug 19, 2013 at 5:52 pm

Butch has Greg Norman Disease. His ego is much larger than his celebrity. Good for Nick for moving along– he’ll turn it around.

Reply Report comment
Bob Husbands

Aug 19, 2013 at 4:59 pm

loose to stupid oversized-hat Nick…can’t play golf with an umbrella on your head. Where do I send the bill for this tip?

Reply Report comment
christian

Aug 19, 2013 at 3:46 am

Nike wanted it…

Reply Report comment
John

Aug 18, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Did butch ever make anyone good? All of his guys are naturals that are inconsistent but talented.

Reply Report comment
- Curt
  
  Aug 18, 2013 at 10:52 pm
  
  Great point. Its like a guy in my business saying he makes millions a year in investments. Come to find out, he makes millions because he started out with 100 million that daddy passed on to him. Easy to make millions when you started with many millions…………..
  
  Same for a golf teacher: Tiger and Phil would have won many majors with or without Butch!
  
  Reply Report comment
jonathan creech

Aug 18, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Todd Anderson will have a more positive influence on Nick Watney. Good career move

Reply Report comment
J

Aug 18, 2013 at 7:43 am

Purely mental. The equipment is identical to their equipment from last year…the back of the iron head may have a different logo… But C’Mon Man!!! Anyone really think they don’t completely customize this stuff for these guys..

Reply Report comment
chris franklin

Aug 18, 2013 at 7:34 am

Just the usual nonsense where the media have over-hyped the expectations of how someone is going to perform.
Watney is one of the legion of pros whom the media announced as the next golf great and who are now equally as eager to shoot down because he hasn’t lived up to the levels that THEY and nobody else predicted.

Reply Report comment
Jim

Aug 17, 2013 at 11:39 pm

Money… and equipment. Rory, Watney, and Stanley can’t make the transition.

Reply Report comment
- Harry
  
  Aug 18, 2013 at 5:48 am
  
  People saying its the equipment is ridiculous, i haven’t seen throbjorn oleson struggling this year?
  
  Reply Report comment
pooch

Aug 17, 2013 at 10:37 pm

It’s always the player and never the equipment. Especially in today’s world of high tech materials and CAD. I dislike when the talking heads go directly to the equipment change as the problem. Many times it’s the multi million dollar contracts that accompany the player that have the negative effect.

Reply Report comment
- Nick
  
  Aug 20, 2013 at 1:56 pm
  
  It’s not that the equipment is inferior but when a long time Titleist player switches equipment, some of those players will find the different feel (not inferior feel, just different) of new equipment more difficult to adjust to than others.
  
  You cannot say that a guy who has to have his clubs tipped a quarter inch and an extra wrap of tape under the grip is oblivious to a totally different head at the end of his stick. They notice, and sometimes the adjustment period is longer than they expected.
  
  This of course also starts to play mind games.
  
  I’m not saying I know the source of Watney and Rory’s fall from form, but to say it is “never the equipment” ignores that the player and his equipment are a package that is inextricably intertwined.
  
  I don’t deny that the pressure of a multi million dollar Nike contract also could have an effect, but to say its “never the equipment” seems a stretch.
  
  Reply Report comment
naflack

Aug 17, 2013 at 10:21 pm

Can’t quit Nike and he needed to change something…
I’d have canned Butch after the unnecessary tweet.

Reply Report comment

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