Tiger Woods: Ryder Cup Spot More Up In The Air Than Ever

Will he be on the team or won't he? That is the $64,000 question.

Tiger Woods, heading into this week's tournament at Firestone, sat ninth in the Ryder Cup standings for the American team. The top eight get an automatic spot on the team.

Tiger is hardly helping his chances of making the top eight this week. Through Friday's play, Akron Woods sat 74th in a field of 81. Woods has an incredible (for him) 11 bogeys through two rounds and trails leader Retief Goosen by 14 shots.

So the first question that begs asking, if Woods is not in the top eight at the end of qualifying, would he accept a captain's pick selection from Corey Pavin?

And the second question; would Pavin select him?

Woods and Pavin are scheduled to chat on Wednesday, the day before the PGA Championship begins in Wisconsin at Whistling Straits. Presumably Pavin will get an answer to the first question.

Will Woods get an answer to the second question? The best guess, at this point, would be no. Not yet, anyway.

Tiger has refused to let on if he would indeed accept a captain's pick from Pavin.

On Wednesday, the day before the Bridgestone Invitational began, Woods was asked in his press conference that very question; would he take Pavin's pick and play in Wales?

"I'm planning on playing my way into the team," Tiger answered.

He was then asked, what if that doesn't happen?

Same answer: "I'm planning on playing my way into the team."

Glad he cleared that up for us. If he is going to play his way onto the team, he better hurry up and do it. It's not happening at Firestone, that's for sure.

Maybe Whistling Straits?

Or, maybe not?