Tiger eyes Ryder Cup wild card despite poor form

Joy Chakravarty 06:08 21/07/2014
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  • Aiming to be at Gleneagles: Tiger Woods in action yesterday.

    Despite another poor outing, and the fact that his participation in the FedEx Cup Playoffs looks doubtful, Tiger Woods is hoping US Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson will have faith in him and pick him as a wild­card at Gleneagles later in the year.

    The former world No1 is curren-tly 72nd in the US Points List, with only the top-nine players making it to the team automatically. Captain Watson will then have three wild­card picks to complete the team of 12 that takes on Europe from September 26-28.

    Watson has repeatedly said he’d like to pick Woods, but that the 14- time major champion will have to play his way in, and yesterday he said that it would make his decision a lot easier if Woods can make it to the Playoffs.

    With just four events left to play, Woods needs to be inside the top- 125 in the FedEx Cup standings to qualify for the first of the four Play­off tournaments. He is currently ranked 212th having played just six events in a season curtailed by his back injury.

    When asked if he would pick himself if he were in Watson’s position, Woods, who finished his Open Championship with a round of three-over par 73 for a six-over par total, said: “I would say yes. But that’s my position, my take on it.

    “He’s the captain. Obviously it’s his decision. He’s going to field the best 12 players that he thinks will win the Cup back. And I hope I’m on that team.

    "I got picked by Corey (Pavin) back when we played in Wales. I was coming off an injury as well there with my achilles, and I sat out for most of the summer. I felt like I was able to contribute to the team.

    "That’s all you want as a pick, you want someone who can contribute to the team, whether it’s in support or it’s in play. I did it then, and hopefully I can actually earn my way on to this team.”

    When told about Watson’s com­ment regarding playing the FedEx Cup, and if he’d consider playing events in other parts of the world if he did not make it to the top-125, Woods said: “Well, I’d like to win the next two tournaments I’m in. That should take care of that.”

    As for his Open outing, Woods said: “I got four rounds in. Unfortu­nately I didn’t play very well today. I just made too many mistakes. I had two triples, two doubles and a few three-putts this week. Just way too many mistakes.

    “I am happy with my back and so are my doctors. I was able to play a few weeks ahead of time, and I’m only getting stronger and faster, which is great.”

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