Former captain Paul Azinger would not pick Tiger Woods for this year’s Ryder Cup. He said he believes the 14-time major winner will rule himself out of the contest at Gleneagles.
Azinger led the United States to their only victory in the 21st century at Valhalla in 2008, when Woods was ruled out through injury.
With the former world No 1 again struggling for form and fitness, Azinger does not think current captain Tom Watson can afford to use one of his three wild cards on Woods on September 2.
“I don’t see how you can take an injured player who is not playing well,” Azinger told the Golf Channel. “I don’t think I would and, also, Tiger has not necessarily been the formula for success either. I just don’t see how you can pick him at this point.
“I am guessing he will call Tom and beg out of this and say ‘I am not ready’ to make Tom’s decision easier.”
The bare statistics make grim reading for Woods after the worst year of his career came to an end at the PGA Championship.
Woods missed the cut for just the fourth time in 66 major championships as a professional at Valhalla, carding consecutive rounds of 74 and suffering more of the back problems that have blighted his campaign.
He will not play in next week's Wyndham Championship and cannot qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs – missing out for just the second time since the post-season began in 2007 – leaving just the Ryder Cup to aim for.
Woods, 38, has made just seven starts all season, the second fewest in his career, missing three months and the Masters and US Open after having back surgery on March 31 and no top-10 finishes for the first time.
As grim as the statistics are, what was most telling was the 14-time major winner’s response when asked when he will play again. “I don’t know,” he said.
Whether Watson calls remains to be seen, with Woods far from the only player causing him some sleepless nights ahead of next month’s contest.
World No 6 Matt Kuchar, who has already secured his place on the team, pulled out before the PGA because of back spasms, while defending champion Jason Dufner lasted 10 holes before he withdrew with a neck injury.
Dustin Johnson, who was the only American player unbeaten at Medinah in 2012, was fifth in the standings before declaring himself unavailable as he takes a leave of absence to deal with “personal challenges”.
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