Saturday 31 January 2015 12:47, UK
Darren Clarke has insisted it is far too early to write off Tiger Woods, despite his horrific performance at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Clarke has backed the 14-time major champion to bounce back from his humiliation at TPC Scottsdale, where he propped up the 132-man field at the halfway stage after firing the worst round of his professional career on the second day.
Woods' all-round game looked in total disarray as he scrapped his way to an 11-over 82 to finish on 13 over par in his first start of the year.
But Clarke believes the new swing changes Woods is currently undergoing with biomechanics specialist Chris Como will take time to bed in, and he predicted that his close friend would soon be climbing back up the world rankings.
"It would be wrong to read any more into how Tiger played in Phoenix other than to say that any time you make major swing changes in your game you are going to have to crawl before you walk," said Clarke, who has struggled for form himself since winning the Open Championship in 2011.
"It may be fine on the practice range but you only find out what's really happening in your game in competition. If Tiger makes changes in his game then he does so for a reason.
Perseverance
"He's the best player in the world and his perseverance and dedication will ensure you'll find him back up at the pointed end of a leaderboard and not down at the bottom.
"So I am not at all surprised or shocked as that would be foolish, and if you're making changes in your game then you're making changes.
"He'll be fine. He's too good a player not to be."
Woods played the first two rounds in Phoenix with rising American star Jordan Spieth, who heads into the weekend in a tie for 13th place on four under par - six shots off the lead.
"Tiger's really revamping his golf swing and just seems like he needs some more repetitions," said the world No 9.
"From the looks of it, he looks very healthy, looks like nothing was bothering him, so he should be able to get out there and get a lot of practice in. I would look for him to make a strong comeback this year."
