Zach Johnson not ruling out Tiger Woods for Ryder Cup

CNN
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Tiger Woods could be part of the USA Ryder Cup squad – or at least Zach Johnson isn’t ruling it out.

Ahead of the Sony Open in Hawaii, USA captain Johnson said he wouldn’t discount Woods’ selection to play in the tournament if the 47-year-old didn’t automatically qualify for the team.

“I would only consider having him on the team if he felt — if he was posting numbers and scoring, No. 1, where he’s showing signs of being competitive,” Johnson said during an interview. a press conference on Wednesday.

“And then No. 2, that discussion would be with the other guys that are on that team, and specifically with him. If there’s one thing I trust in Tiger Woods, it’s that he’s hugely invested in this team and future Cups. Extremely invested. I can’t talk about it enough,” Johnson added.

“And then I think you would do anything and everything for the good of the team. I guess he would say…I don’t like to make assumptions…but I’m sure he would say:” Yeah, I can play, or no, I can’t.”

Last year, Johnson confirmed that Woods would be part of the US Ryder Cup “to some degree”, adding that Woods had made it a “priority”.

“Given who he is and what he talks about, I can’t tell you at the moment: I don’t know if he will be here next year, but he will be part of this team in some way. “, Johnson said.

However, Woods’ health could complicate that, Johnson conceded.

“He’s been through some things lately that make it difficult, whether it’s travel or whatever,” the USA Ryder Cup captain said.

Injuries have hampered Woods’ recent career, his playing time decimated since suffering serious leg injuries in a car accident in February 2021.

The 47-year-old withdrew from the Hero World Challenge in December citing foot pain and at various times appeared to have trouble moving during The Match’s seventh edition that month.

“I think something realistic is to play the tour one day, never full time, never again, but pick and choose, just like Mr. (Ben) Hogan did,” Woods told Golf Digest afterward. his accident in 2021.

“Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that. You practice around it and prepare for it. And you play. I think that’s how I’m going to have to play it from now on.

“It’s a sad reality, but it’s my reality. And I understand it and I accept it.

A biennial competition that alternates between Europe and the United States, the Ryder Cup is being played in Italy for the first time later this year – from September 25 to October 1 – at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, 10 miles from the center from Rome.

Team USA won back the Ryder Cup in 2021 after a historically dominating performance over Europe at Whistling Straits.