LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Â Tiger Woods wants in on the US Ryder Cup team.
According to US captain Tom Watson, Woods told him as much in a conversation they had after Woods missed the cut Friday at the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
“Tiger said that to me in our conversation: ‘I want you to pick me,’ ’’ Watson said Monday in a news conference to discuss the nine players whose point totals clinched their spots on the 12-man team for the Sept. 26-28 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland.
Despite battling back ailments, having a lack of tournaments under his belt and not being qualified to play in the FedEx Cup playoffs, Woods is seemingly still on Watson’s radar as a possibility for one of his three captain’s picks that will be announced Sept. 2.
So much on Watson’s radar, in fact, that Watson gave the impression it’s Woods’ call on whether Watson should pick him or not.
“The most important thing is his health,’’ Watson said. “I’ve said it consistently all the way through the issue with Tiger after his injury. If he’s healthy and is playing well, I’ll pick him. Right now, his health is not good, and whether that can change in the next three weeks, as I said, I’ll monitor the situation. I’ll be talking with him, and as far as his playing ability is concerned, I’ll monitor that, as well.’’
This is the complication: How can Watson monitor how Woods is playing if Woods is not playing in any tournaments? If it’s about how he’s practicing at home in Florida, it becomes a matter of Woods’ word and how much Watson trusts him.
“All I can do is I’ve got to monitor his situation and during my conversations with him,’’ Watson said.
Woods, in his press conference after missing the cut Friday, seemed to be sending a message to Watson when he spoke about how important it was for him to take the time to gain his strength back before he can worry about playing golf. Woods also has mentioned his potential value as a veteran in the Ryder Cup team room.
So there has been some definite lobbying, though not overtly, by Woods. Watson said he believes in Woods’ word.
“I trust Tiger to give me the straight skinny,’’ Watson said. “I trust him inherently. I think it really directly comes from Tiger, how he assesses himself, because Tiger, he has a directness to him. He’s just like me. I’m direct and he’s direct. The main thing is I can’t really assess his medical condition and I honestly can’t assess how he’s playing. It really is going to be having to come from information from Tiger himself.
“He is Tiger Woods and he brings a lot to the team, if he has the ability to play and he’s healthy, and I’d be a fool not to consider him.’’
Many golf insiders believe it is too risky for Watson to make Woods a pick, because the condition of his back cannot be trusted — as evidenced by the last two tournaments he’s played since returning from a three-month layoff following March 31 surgery.
Paul Azinger, the last captain to lead the US to a Ryder Cup victory (ironically at Valhalla in 2008 without Woods on the team), has been one of the public naysayers.
“He is Tiger Woods,’’ Watson said. “He brings something to the team in a big way. He’s been really good in the team room of recent and he’s a factor with the players. I know that for a fact. He’s a very positive influence on the players. But the most important thing is: Can he play? can he physically play, and is he playing well? I’ll monitor that situation in the next three weeks.’’
Watson was asked if there might be a “script change’’ regarding the role of Steve Stricker on the team based on his performance at the PGA. Stricker, who last week was named as a vice captain by Watson, tied for seventh at 11-under par (five behind winner Rory McIlroy) after four rounds in the 60s at Valhalla.
“Well, I told Steve to bring his golf clubs over [to Scotland] with him, if that’s any indication of what I might do,’’ Watson said.