Captain Davis Love III has admitted that he is still holding out hope that Tiger Woods can make his US Ryder Cup team to face Europe at Hazeltine this year.
The 40-year-old 14-time major winner, along with Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk, has already been confirmed as one of the vice-captains for the tournament at the end of September. However, despite Woods being unable to play since undergoing two procedures on his back in September and October last year, there has been renewed talk that he could be one of the 12 USA players who will be tasked with trying to stop Europe making it four successive Ryder Cup wins.
Woods hinted earlier this year that he was targeting a comeback in the US Open in June, while he also played five holes of the course at Bluejack National Golf Club in Texas on Monday. Love has now opened the door for Woods to feature in the tournament as a captain’s pick as long as he can prove his fitness.
Woods has only tasted victory with the USA in one of the seven Ryder Cups he has been involved in, while he has only won 13 of his 33 matches. However Love insists his wealth of experience would be invaluable to the Americans if he is available to them. He said: “Tiger Woods is the captain on the course.
He can be a leader – we need Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods types. “I want him on the team either way because he’s a great influence. He obviously brings a lot of incredible passion to our team and confidence.
“Tiger doesn’t have to be in the top eight or 10 in the points to make the team. He just needs to be playing and playing well and he will know – as an assistant captain I guess he will get a vote – if he’s ready.
“We will know if he’s ready and we’d love to have him because he brings an aura with him to our team, that we really need.” USA are 1.85 to win the Ryder Cup, Europe are 2.15 and a tie is 11.00.
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