AS THE RACE FOR the European Ryder Cup automatic qualification berths heats up, the problems facing US captain Corey Pavin continue to stack up.

Paul Goydos yesterday withdrew from The Barclays, adding to Pavin’s major dilemma over whether to keep Tiger Woods in the team or not.

Pavin had previously said of Goydos:

He is unconventional, thinks outside the box, and is an excellent judge of character and talent. Paul is also well respected amongst his peers. He will give me his untarnished opinion, which no doubt will have his unique stamp on it.

To have  a player regarded as a key component to the USA’s ambitions withdrawing from a playoff tournament without giving any reason will no doubt worry Pavin.

On the question of Woods’ inclusion in the Ryder Cup team, there can be no doubt that 2010 has been his worst year – both professionally and personally.

But can Corey Pavin drop the man that just a year ago was not only regarded as the best golfer in the world, but as the best golfer of all time?

As Pavin himself said when he was named as Ryder Cup captain: “if there’s anybody on this planet that can handle any situation on the golf course, it would be Tiger Woods. He is as mentally tough as anybody I’ve ever seen in my life, and I don’t expect for there to be any problems anyway.”

The European team will be named after the Johnnie Walker Championship in Gleneagles this weekend, while The Barclays is the final event of the US season.