Faith in Tiger to roar again

But the day after Woods was named in the United States team to defend the Ryder Cup at The Belfry near Birmingham next month, Harmon insisted: "We haven't seen the best of Tiger.

"Tiger is only 25 years old, he is very dedicated, he is very driven, and I believe he has better things to come.

"He is probably in his lowest period in terms of how he is playing and that is frustrating for him because he knows how good he really is, he knows how hard he works, and he knows what he expects out of himself.

"But I think in the years ahead you are going to see Tiger get better and better."

Woods's work ethic is renowned on the professional circuit. At tournaments, he is often the first to arrive at the practice range and the last to leave.

His dilemma, however, is a gruelling schedule leading up to the Ryder Cup which offers little opportunity in which to hone his game. With barely enough time to make a laundry drop of the golf shirts stained by the sweaty Atlanta humidity, Woods has headed to the cooler north and the Firestone Country Club in order to defend his NEC Invitational World Championship title.

But he is philosophical about the loss of form that has had seasoned observers offering all sorts of reasons for his struggles.

Theories range from a breakdown in his textbook swing to an over-ambitious commitment to business and endorsement contracts and the recent break-up of his relationship with girlfriend Joanna Jagoda.

Woods admitted: "It has been disappointing that I haven't played the way I wanted to, but that is part of playing sports. You can't play well all the time, you can't have everything go your way all the time, especially in this sport.

"A lot of things need to happen in order to win. I have been very blessed to play as well as I have for a few years.

"On top of that I've had a lot of good breaks. At the moment, I really haven't got things going my way, and on top of that I haven't played that well.

"But if you want to play for a long time - with health permitting and if everything goes right I may play as long as Arnold Palmer - you can't beat yourself up over every single shot, round and tournament."

United States Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange backed the youngest player in the team to take on Europe, insisting: "Tiger will be fine."

Significantly, however, Strange admitted that even a player of Woods's stature was not guaranteed a place in all five games - two fourballs, two foursomes and one singles - that comprise a Ryder Cup schedule.

Woods has not been dropped in two Ryder Cups, but Strange said: "As the matches get closer and they progress during Cup week you'll do what you think is right. There's a chance anybody might sit it out, not because they are not playing well, but just to take a break."

Nick Dougherty, the 19-year-old star of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup side, will make his professional debut in the Scottish PGA Championship at Gleneagles on Thursday.