Suggestions for Tiger Woods …

DALLAS – Hall of Famers Lee Trevino and Lanny Wadkins have differing views on Tiger Woods’ chances of breaking Jack Nicklaus’ major championship record. But the legends agree that Woods’ secret to future success lies in the past.

After speaking at the HP Byron Nelson Championship Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday, Trevino and Wadkins said Woods should be working on replicating the swing he used during his most dominant stretch in 2000-01. The Dallas residents said Woods is suffering from information overload, becoming too dependent on mechanical advice.

“My suggestion to Tiger Woods, which I don’t know will ever happen, is he’s got to look at the film of when he started winning all those tournaments and go right back to what he was doing and get rid of all those people,” said Trevino, a 29-time winner on the PGA Tour. “Can you name me a teacher that’s taught someone from scratch? All these famous teachers coming into your mind, (their students) were already major winners and won 150 tournaments before they picked them up, and all of that’s teaching?”

Woods went through major swing changes with Butch Harmon and McKinney’s Hank Haney before hooking up with current instructor Sean Foley.

“He’s got a lot of hangover with Haney doing his swing and trying to do something else,” said Wadkins, who had 21 Tour victories. “When the heat gets on, he goes back in there where he had trouble with Haney. On the playoff hole the other day (at the WGC Match Play), he got stuck back there, that’s why he hit it so far right. He hit 3-wood over the desert on a 50-yard wide fairway. He’s feeling a hangover.”

Woods has 71 PGA Tour victories, including 14 major titles, but has gone more than 15 months without a win. His on-course problems coincide with a very public divorce. He has played only twice on the PGA Tour and once overseas this season. He tied for 44th at the Farmers Insurance Open, tied for 20th at the Dubai Desert Classic and lost in the first round of Match Play.

Although Woods is winless in 10 straight majors – matching his longest major drought – he still is two ahead of Nicklaus’ pace at age 35. Nicklaus posted his final major victory at the 1986 Masters, when he was 46.

Trevino said Woods will win at least four more majors.

“I think he’ll break it,” Trevino said. “My opinion with Tiger is that once he gets his mind straight and stops messing with all these instructors, he’ll find his game. He’s too good a player, and he’s got desire. He hasn’t lost that yet. He just got off the road a little bit and it’s going to take a little while.”

Nicklaus, 71, told reporters Wednesday at the Honda Classic that he thinks Woods will win 18 majors.

“I’m surprised that he has not bounced back by now,” Nicklaus said. “He’s got such a great work ethic. I still think he’ll break my record.”