Zach Johnson has not ruled out the possibility of Tiger Woods being a member of the US Ryder Cup team.
Before the Sony Open in Hawaii, US team captain Johnson stated that he wouldn’t rule out choosing Woods to participate in the tournament if he didn’t qualify for the team on his own.
“I would only consider adding him to the team if he showed promise and was producing strong results, particularly if he demonstrated a competitive edge,” Johnson stated during a press conference on Wednesday.
“And secondly, we will have that conversation with the other members of the team, particularly him. I have complete trust in Tiger Woods and his dedication to the team and future Cups. I cannot emphasize that enough,” Johnson stated.
“I believe you would go above and beyond for the team’s improvement. Although I don’t like to make assumptions, I am certain that he would either say ‘Yes, I can play’ or ‘No, I can’t’.”
Johnson announced last year that Woods would be involved in the US Ryder Cup in some way, stating that Woods had made it a top priority.
In Lahaina, Hawaii on January 8, 2023, Spanish golfer Jon Rahm triumphantly holds the trophy after his victory in the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Golf Club’s Plantation Course. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) Harry How/Getty Images North America/Getty Images Jon Rahm makes an impressive comeback to claim victory at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Johnson stated that he is unable to disclose at this time whether the person in question will remain with the team in the future, but they will still have a role within the team.
Johnson admitted that Woods’ health could be a complicating factor.
The US Ryder Cup captain mentioned that he has faced some recent challenges, such as travel or other circumstances, which have made things difficult for him.
Woods’ recent career has been hindered by injury, resulting in a significant decrease in his playing time after sustaining serious leg injuries in a car accident in February 2021.
In December, the 47-year-old decided to not participate in the Hero World Challenge due to his foot discomfort. Throughout the seventh edition of The Match that same month, he appeared to be having difficulty moving.
Woods expressed his belief that playing on the tour may be realistic in the future, but only on a part-time basis, similar to how Mr. (Ben) Hogan approached his career. This statement was made to Golf Digest following Woods’ accident in 2021.
Select a small number of events per year and focus on those. Prepare and train for these events, and mentally prepare yourself for them. This will be my approach moving forward.
“It’s a sad truth, but it’s my truth. I comprehend and embrace it.”
The Ryder Cup, a competition that happens every two years and switches between Europe and the US, will be held in Italy for the first time this year. The event will take place from September 25 to October 1 at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, located 10 miles from the heart of Rome.
In 2021, Team US triumphantly reclaimed the Ryder Cup by delivering a historically impressive performance against Europe at Whistling Straits.
Reporting for CNN was provided by Jack Bantock.
Source: cnn.com
