Where there's a problem, there's always an American solution - involving money, naturally. According to a certain Bob Prichard, the disappointing, recent performances by Tiger Woods have to do with posture rather than putting, as the player would have us believe.

Prichard, who is director of Somax Posture and Sports of Corte Madera, California, blames overuse of the stomach muscles which has caused Woods to form inflexible microfibres between his obliques.

Prichard explained: "As a result, he now pulls his head down during his downswing and opens the club-face slightly at impact, pushing the ball." Apparently it is a problem which cannot be solved by concentration, instruction or practice. But it is just possible the microfibres could be released through a Somax massage - at $300 per hour. Now there's a surprise.