(AP)

FIFE, SCOTLAND — A disastrous 1st Round at the Open Championship continued Tiger Woods’ career-worst string of play and has led him to fire his swing coach and longtime friend, Charles Barkley.

Woods called Barkley after leaving the course following his opening round 4-over 76 that left him 11 shots off the lead and tied for 136th place.

“I was surprised to get the call,” admitted Barkley. “Not to get fired as his swing coach, but because people usually know not to call me before Noon. Especially during the NBA offseason. I got in a 4:15 last night from the strip club. I needed my sleep. So it was a real quick call with Tiger because I wanted to get back to bed.”

Woods has been friends with Barkley for years and hired the retired basketball star after more “traditional” swing coaches didn’t not improve his faltering game.

“Charles has a very unorthodox approach to swinging the golf club and I think he can help me re-find my own natural swing and let me get back to playing more instinctively,” Woods said last September when announcing the hire. “I know it’s not a traditional hire, but I didn’t win 14 majors by being traditional.”

Unfortunately, Barkley’s advice has only made Woods worse and the golfer today made the move many have expected for weeks. The TNT NBA analyst said he has no hard feelings.

“I made more than $700,000 betting against Tiger the last few months,” said Barkley. “I don’t regret being his swing coach at all. It was great.”