Tiger Woods: 5 Reasons He Should Not Represent U.S. at the President's Cup

By (Contributor) on September 25, 2011

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JOHNS CREEK, GA - AUGUST 12:  Tiger Woods hits a tee shot during the second round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club on August 12, 2011 in Johns Creek, Georgia.  (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

The 2011 President's Cup is a little over two months away. That leaves little time for U.S. captain Fred Couples to make his selection for captain's picks.

And while Couples has not announced both of his selections, he has told the media that Tiger Woods will be on the U.S. team when it tees it up in Australia in November.

This pick angered some, and caused questions among many golf fans. When Tiger is healthy, he is the best golfer on the planet. And right now, Tiger's health is not certain. 

Here are five reasons Tiger should have been left off of the U.S. President's Cup team. 

1. Tiger Hasn't Won in Two Years

LEMONT, IL - SEPTEMBER 13:  Tiger Woods poses with the trophy after his eight-stroke victory at the BMW Championship held at Cog Hill Golf & CC on September 13, 2009 in Lemont, Illinois.  (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Tiger Woods used to be a lock to win multiple events every year on tour. 

Now people aren't arguing how many events he will win in a year, but what year he will win his next event.

To be on the President's Cup team, you need to be a winner. And while Tiger is historically a winner, as of late he has simply been doing a lot of losing. 

It has been two years since Tiger hoisted a trophy, and that is two years too many if he is to represent the United States. 

2. Tiger Hasn't Won a Major in Three Years

SAN DIEGO - JUNE 16:  Tiger Woods celebrates with the trophy after winning on the first sudden death playoff hole during the playoff round of the 108th U.S. Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 16, 2008 in San Diego, California. Run
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Tiger simply hasn't been able to play well in important events.The President's Cup is an important event. And while it isn't major caliber it is just a step below.

To find the last time Tiger has played well in an important event, you need to go back three years. 

That's right. You need to head back to Torrey Pines in 2008, and find the one-legged Tiger. He simply hasn't performed well on the big stage, which is critical to President Cup play. 

3. Recent Injuries

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09:  Tiger Woods of the USA plays his second shot on the 17th hole from under The Eisenhower Tree during the third round of the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia.  (Photo by Ross
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

For so long it seemed as if Tiger was the iron man. 

Sure, he had knee operations but they never really affected his play. Then we learned he won a major with only one fully functioning leg. And we all thought nothing could stop him. 

That was until we realized his playing through injuries is exactly what would stop him. 

Tiger put so much stress on his legs that he caused permanent damage. He claimed to be healthy heading into the season, only to re-injure his leg at Augusta, forcing him to take more time off. 

So to have Tiger in the President's Cup is very risky. Even if he is fully healthy (which I doubt), there is no guarantee he will play the duration without further injury. 

4. His Previous Record

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11:  Tiger Woods of the USA Team on the 8th hole during the Day Four Singles Matches in The Presidents Cup at Harding Park Golf Course on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California  (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)
David Cannon/Getty Images

Tiger is without a doubt the greatest player in recent memory, and arguably the greatest player in history. 

So for a player who can make the claim of being the greatest golfer in history, I would expect a little more than 18-11-1 in overall President's Cup.

Keep in mind that this record was helped greatly during the 2009 Cup when Tiger was paired with Steve Stricker and went 4-0. 

Now, I am not saying there are a ton of other options out there for America, but his record combined with these other factors certainly doesn't lend itself to a great performance in 2011.

5. His World Ranking

JOHNS CREEK, GA - AUGUST 12: Tiger Woods looks on from the third hole during the second round of the 93rd PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club on August 12, 2011 in Johns Creek, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

For the first time in my life, I have to scroll down the world ranking page in order to find the name Tiger Woods. 

Currently, Tiger sits 49th in the world.

Such a low ranking says two things.

First, it illustrates that Tiger's game is lost. He isn't playing well, and the place to find one's game is not a major team competition. 

Second, it shows that there are a host of American players who are more deserving to take his spot on the team. 

Look, this selection should not be made only on what Tiger has done in the past. We need to take into account the present as well. And unfortunately for Tiger, the present is not good. 

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