Few would dare question Jon Rahm’s dexterity with a stick and a ball. But it takes trained eyes to parse what makes him “special.” Trained eyes like those of Hank Haney, who worked with Tiger Woods from 2004 to 2010.

Haney praised the Spaniard’s skills while retweeting a clip from the range. Originally posted by Rahm’s team, Legion XIII, it shows him hitting nine different shots: cut, draw and straight, each with different ball flights – high, mid and low.

The experienced swing coach was very impressed with the performance.@JonRahmOfficial (Jon Rahm) execute the 9 strokes perfectly, not many players could do this, he is a special player,” Haney wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Jon Rahm recently got his first whiff of victory at LIV Golf since joining Greg Norman in December, hoping to give him a huge boost before the Olympics, where his eye-popping contract makes him the highest-paid athlete.

Rahm was completely devastated after his switch to the PIF-funded side. Haney, however, refused to join. The veteran swing instructor believed that few could resist when $600 million was put on the table. Tiger Woods clearly felt differently.

The 82-time PGA Tour winner was angry with Rahm for switching to LIV golf after he had criticized the format a year earlier. The Spanish international revealed that Woods had not responded to his farewell text. However, that could change now that Tiger Woods has taken it upon himself to mend past conflicts.

The 48-year-old congratulated Bryson DeChambeau on his second US Open victory. Phil Mickelson also revealed he had a brief chat with the former world No. 1 at the Royal Troon practice range.

This comes against the backdrop of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour’s ongoing negotiations with PIF, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund that backs LIV Golf. Only time will tell whether the truce will pave the way for greater exchange between LIV golfers and the rest. As for Haney, he has stuck to his early views on the PIF-funded side: that it’s good for the sport.

Hank Haney has been a supporter of LIV Golf since its inception

Hank Haney has previously disputed claims that the LIV field is significantly weak. The 68-year-old has argued instead that the PGA Tour is weaker without big names like Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and others.

Haney tweeted not long ago, calling critics “corrupt golf media”: “It’s easier than ever to win on the PGA Tour, which is one of the many reasons they are charter members of the CGM.Interestingly, he has used that expression in more recent times as well.

In May, the 68-year-old took to social media again to lash out at Bryson DeChambeau’s exclusion from the Olympics. DeChambeau was ineligible due to his OWGR ranking. LIV golf pros do not receive world ranking points.

Haney wrote:I’m not sure I understand the logic behind why an American would not be allowed to represent his country in the Olympics. (sic) because he plays in the @livgolf_league. I’m also not sure if this is good for golf, but some people are convinced it is.“

Hank Haney and Tiger Woods split in 2010 after winning six majors together. More than a decade later, their paths may cross again. The only exception is that Woods has yet to make any of the positive comments publicly. Haney, on the other hand, has never shied away from taking a bold stand in public.