Leadbetter backing Justin Rose to succeed

Top coach David Leadbetter has backed Justin Rose to put his nightmare year behind him and fulfil the potential he showed in spectacular fashion at the Open 12 months ago.

The Hampshire teenager burst onto the scene when he finished fourth at Royal Birkdale in 1998, closing his final round in style with a chip into the 18th hole from 45 yards.

He turned professional immediately afterwards but then suffered a dreadful string of results, missing the cut in 21 successive events on the European Tour.

That depressing streak was only broken at the end of June in the European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall following a fourth-place finish on the less-demanding Challenge Tour.

But Leadbetter, who made his name completely remodelling Nick Faldo's swing and helping him to win six major titles, is confident the 18-year-old from Hook has what it takes to make it in the paid ranks.

"Obviously he's had a tough time but he can't do anything about what's happened and he's just got to look to the future," Leadbetter told Sport after watching Rose in practice for this week's Open at Carnoustie.

"The good thing about him is that he's young enough and he's still really enthusiastic and knows he has so much still to learn.

"I don't think what's happened is going to really do him any harm. He's pretty much put it out of his mind and said 'Hey I tried, it didn't work, so I've got to go another route'."

That route, believes Leadbetter, lies firmly on the Challenge Tour where Rose received his first-ever pay cheque as a professional at the Austrian Open, winning just over £2,000.

"Definitely the route is to get on the Challenge Tour, get some good scores under his belt, build some confidence and just start playing again," said Leadbetter.

"He was always trying to force the issue from the very start, make cuts and win money and initially to try and win his card. Then he had all these invites and the pressure was on him there. He just needs to get away from the limelight a bit and get back to playing.

"The good thing is he's only 18, he still has his whole career in front of him. I still think personally he's a better player now in many respects than he was this time last year, but confidence is a huge thing.

"On the tour now the depth and the quality of play is so good that you could play well and miss the cut by a shot and you're down the road.

"You have to have that confidence which Justin has been lacking and which last year he totally had because he had nothing to lose. It wears on you, even for a young player.

"He has to believe in himself that he can do it. You get out on tour and there's a bit more pressure, (people saying) you should do this, you should do that, whereas on the Challenge Tour he can just freewheel it a bit and just let his natural game come out. I have full confidence in him."

Rose visited Leadbetter last year at his golf academy in Florida and sees the game's most famous guru several times a year - and Leadbetter has been impressed with what he has seen.

"Technically-wise I'm really pleased with the way he's swinging and he's just got to put it to the test and let it happen," said Leadbetter.

"He's not really doing anything different, it's a case of not over-coaching and just going out and trusting it and that's what he's got to do."