TIGER WOODS WILL not join Team USA for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September.
The 14-time major winner made himself unavailable for the traditional team tournament against Europe, due to his ailing back.
Woods has struggled his way through 2014, playing eight events for a best finish of 25th – and underwent surgery on the problem area in March.
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Given his lacklustre form, the only way Woods would have competed for the Americans would have been via a captain’s pick.
Team USA captain Tom Watson said recently Woods should be honest about his fitness, causing the 38-year-old to withdraw from their bid to win back the Cup for the first time since 2008.
Woods was also absent from the winning ’08 team due to injury, meaning the USA’s triumph in 1999 at The Country Club marks the only time he has won the team event.
“While I greatly appreciate Tom thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I must take myself out of consideration,” Woods said in a statement.
“I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now. I’m extremely disappointed that I won’t be ready for the competition.
“The US Team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I’ll be cheering for the US Team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.”
Watson said he was disappointed Woods was unavailable to be one of his three captain’s picks but accepted the superstar’s health was priority.
“My primary wish is for Tiger to be healthy and competitive, and I hope that he’ll return to the game very soon,” Watson said.
“Of course, I’m disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the US Ryder Cup Team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be.
“However, I think we can all agree that we need Tiger Woods in this great sport, and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process. My focus will remain on identifying three players to join the US team and give us the best chance for success at Gleneagles.”
Woods withdraws himself from Ryder Cup consideration due to injury
TIGER WOODS WILL not join Team USA for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September.
The 14-time major winner made himself unavailable for the traditional team tournament against Europe, due to his ailing back.
Woods has struggled his way through 2014, playing eight events for a best finish of 25th – and underwent surgery on the problem area in March.
Given his lacklustre form, the only way Woods would have competed for the Americans would have been via a captain’s pick.
Team USA captain Tom Watson said recently Woods should be honest about his fitness, causing the 38-year-old to withdraw from their bid to win back the Cup for the first time since 2008.
Woods was also absent from the winning ’08 team due to injury, meaning the USA’s triumph in 1999 at The Country Club marks the only time he has won the team event.
“While I greatly appreciate Tom thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I must take myself out of consideration,” Woods said in a statement.
“I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now. I’m extremely disappointed that I won’t be ready for the competition.
“The US Team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I’ll be cheering for the US Team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.”
Watson said he was disappointed Woods was unavailable to be one of his three captain’s picks but accepted the superstar’s health was priority.
“Of course, I’m disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the US Ryder Cup Team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be.
“However, I think we can all agree that we need Tiger Woods in this great sport, and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process. My focus will remain on identifying three players to join the US team and give us the best chance for success at Gleneagles.”
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