Watson backs Woods
Tom Watson believes Tiger Woods is still in contention to play in his Ryder Cup team in September, as long as he is playing well.
Woods made his return to competitive golf at last week’s Quicken Loans National at Congressional. The former world number one was less than impressive, shooting seven over par and missing the cut.
“I’m delighted to see Tiger back,” said Watson, the captain of the American Ryder Cup team.
“I hope he’s healthy and I hope he’s not in pain. As I said, I want him on the Ryder Cup team if he’s healthy and playing well.”
However, due to Woods’ injury shortened season, it is unlikely that he will earn enough points to qualify for the team. This could force Watson’s hand to use a captains pick, as he did with Woods in 2010.
“I’ve said it before that he’s an automatic pick,” added the eight time major winner
“You can’t have a player of that caliber not on the team. But that has to be weighed next to what his health is. I hope he can get back in the swing, because he wasn’t playing his best even before the surgery. But if he’s not physically right, Tiger will be the first one to tell me.”
Despite Watson’s eagerness to have Woods on his team, the 79 time PGA Tour winner actually has a patchy record at the Ryder Cup with 13 wins, 17 losses and three ties. Additionally, Woods has only been on one winning Ryder Cup team, which was back in 1999.
Woods’ singles record at the event is, however, impressive as he boasts just one loss in six matches.
Latest
-
NewsGolfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European TourDP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
NewsRory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The OpenR&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.
-
US OpenGary Player urges Matt Fitzpatrick to avoid ‘poison’ of modern-day coaching
Player tells US Open champion Fitzpatrick to learn from mistakes of recent major winners, saying: “The teaching today is the worst it has ever been.”
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick’s caddie Billy Foster ready for ‘long party’ after US Open win
Foster won his first major after a 40-year career which includes spells working for the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick backed to become a dominant force after winning first major
The Englishman claimed his first major title at Brookline.
-
US OpenMatt Fitzpatrick: A Blade with plenty of support who can really cut it
The Sheffield golfer landed his first major – and first professional win in America – at Brookline on Sunday.