Ryder Cup: Captain Tom Watson thanks Tiger Woods for taking ‘high road’
By Phil Watson
U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson said Thursday that he appreciates Tiger Woods taking the “high road” and withdrawing from consideration for the team that will compete next month at Gleneagles in Scotland.
More from Golf
- 3M Open picks 2023: Expert picks, best bets for PGA Tour golf this week
- Brian Harman’s dominating Open win came as a surprise… except to himself
- Ryder Cup 2023: Zach Johnson hints at Brian Harman being on US team
- Brian Harman runs away with Open Championship win: Golf Twitter celebrates
- Open Championship weather: Temperature, more for Royal Liverpool on Sunday
Woods announced Wednesday he was withdrawing from consideration, relieving Watson of having to choose whether or not to include the 14-time major champion who has struggled with back problems all year.
Woods finished 70th in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings. The top nine selections for the team automatically qualify from that list, with Watson filling out the squad with three captain’s picks.
The nine qualifiers for the U.S. Ryder Cup squad include 2014 Masters champion Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Jordan Speith, Patrick Reed and Zach Johnson.
“Of course, I’m disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the U.S. Ryder Cup team and that his health is not where he would like it to be,” Watson said in a statement. “ 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.”
Europe has won the last two Ryder Cups, in 2010 at Celtic Manor in Wales and in 2012 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill.
The last U.S. victory was at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., where last weekend’s PGA Championship was held, in 2008.
Since the Ryder Cup went to its current U.S. vs. Europe format in 1979, the European squad has won 10 of the 17 matches.