TORONTO • Jim Furyk said on Tuesday that he hopes former world No. 1 Tiger Woods will be a part of his team at next year's Ryder Cup, calling the injury-plagued golfer a valuable resource to a US squad looking to snap a 25-year drought on European soil.
Furyk, who will serve as captain when holders United States battle Europe next September at the Golf National on the outskirts of Paris, said his squad have a quarter century of scars to overcome and Woods can play a key role.
"I will say that Tiger Woods is a great resource and would be a welcome to the team, whether that would be as a playing personnel or whether that would be as a vice-captain," the 47-year-old told a news conference in the French capital. "He's been a great resource and a great person to have in the team room, so I'm hoping he will be part of that team."
The Americans won the biennial matchplay event at home last October for their first triumph since 2008, but they have not celebrated on European soil since a 15-13 victory at The Belfry in England in 1993.
Woods is hoping to make a return from multiple back surgeries but has been limited to only six competitive rounds in the past two years and would be a long shot to make the team as a player.
Furyk, nine times a player in the competition and who served as a vice-captain under Davis Love III at Hazeltine last year, tweaked the selection criteria and is placing a premium on in-form players.
Woods, who was part of the selection committee that named Furyk as captain in January, served as an assistant captain on the Ryder Cup team last year. Both were also Presidents Cup assistant captains last month when the US thrashed the Internationals 19-11.
A few weeks ago, the 14-time Major winner, who has played in seven Ryder Cups but only in one winning team, admitted that he might never return to competitive golf.
Despite those doubts, he has being given clearance by doctors to resume full golf activity and on Sunday posted a video of himself hitting a drive on his official Twitter account.
"The swing that I saw on that video looked a lot like Tiger Woods. It reminded me of his swing of the past. It probably still needed a little speed. He probably still needs a little bit of golf strength maybe," said Furyk.
"But we really don't know when Tiger will be healthy. We really don't know when he'll return to competitive golf."
REUTERS
