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• David Leadbetter dismisses Tiger Woods’ Open chances
• Believes it’s ‘almost impossible’ he’ll return to dominance
• Speaking at a clinic on the launch of new book ‘The A Swing’

DAVID LEADBETTER | TIGER WOODS

One of the world’s leading golf coaches David Leadbetter has dismissed Tiger Woods’ chances of success at the Open this week and believes it’s ‘almost impossible’ that he’ll ever return to his former dominance.

The 63-year-old, a former coach of multiple major champions Sir Nick Faldo and Ernie Els, also believes that the 14-time major winner’s ego makes him believe he can still compete with the longest hitters on tour and that he’s totally lost the fear factor among his fellow professionals.

Speaking to bunkered.co.uk after giving a clinic on his brand new book, ‘The A Swing’, at Pittormie Castle near St Andrews, David Leadbetter said: “I have my views and I think he’s got very complex and too mechanical. He’s not using the creativity he’s used in the past, his short game and putting isn’t as good, he’s getting older and he’s not infallible any more.

“I think it’ll be almost impossible to see the old Tiger” – David Leadbetter

“People can beat him and these young players come out there and don’t have any fear, and that’s a big factor. I think it’ll be almost impossible to see the old Tiger where he was just dominant.

“His tempo seems to be off to a certain extent. He’s certainly not one of the biggest hitters anymore but sometimes egos get in the way don’t they? Maybe he wants to prove that he can still do it.”

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And speaking about Woods’ chances of winning a fourth Open and his second at St Andrews this week, Leadbetter, who now coaches women’s world No.2 Lydia Ko, appreciates how hard he’s been working but believes his game isn’t currently where it needs to be.

“You can never say never with someone like Tiger and you’ve got to give him credit for how hard he’s working and trying,” said David Leadbetter. “Having said that, anything can happen and if he holes a few putts, gets some confidence going and has a good round then you never know and it’d be great to see if he did. If memories are anything to go by then yes, but on form, no.”

David Leadbetter on Tiger :: Your thoughts

What do you think about Leadbetter’s thoughts on Tiger Woods? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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