Darren Clarke has insisted that Tiger Woods is still the "best player in the world", despite the American carding his worst round as a professional at the Phoenix Open.
Woods shot a 12-over-par 82 in the second round yesterday, missing consecutive cuts for the first time in his career as a result.
However, Clarke believes that Woods will bounce back once the changes he is making to his swing with biomechanics specialist Chris Como bed in.
"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," Clarke told reporters.
"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.
"He'll be fine. He's too good a player not to be."
Woods is a 14-time Major champion, but has not lifted a Major since claiming the US Open at Torrey Pines in 2008.
Joe Sharratt
