Tiger Woods Expects to Play at 2016 Ryder Cup, Reveals Davis Love III
Tiger Woods is "expecting" to make the 2016 Ryder Cup team, according to United States captain Davis Love III.
Woods has dropped to 96th in the world due to a spell of bad form and injuries, per the PGA Tour's website. However, Love told BBC Radio (via BBC Sport) that the former No. 1 is ready to regain his fitness, work hard and fight for a place in the American lineup.
"He's expecting to make the team," Love said. "He and I keep in touch a lot more than we have. He still has a good attitude and is working hard. I spoke to a few people who tell me he's working very hard and is eager to get back. I suppose he has a plan for the Masters—we're hoping to see him back soon.
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Love references Woods' desire to be fighting fit for the upcoming Augusta tournament. The former No. 1 previously admitted he is "hopeful" of appearing at the April event after his indefinite break, per BBC Sport.
He has been absent since declaring his form "unacceptable for tournament play" in February but noting he would not make a comeback until he is able to "compete at the highest level." Having not won a major since 2008, this could be the greatest challenge of Woods' career.
Nike recently provided a possible hint about his participation at the Masters with the reveal of his clothes for the tournament, according to Ewan Murray of The Guardian. Murray notes this may or may not have been a ploy by the sportswear giants to "keep Woods visible."
"Or Nike may be no clearer than the rest of us as to Woods’s immediate future. He is notoriously private about his plans," Murray said.
Love suggests Woods has a long, competitive road ahead of him but his quality shouldn't be overlooked, per BBC Sport.
"Right now, it's the Ryder Cup we're talking about—we have guys trying to make the Presidents Cup team (against the international team in October) and he is anxious about getting back to playing so he can get some points for that, then he can think about Ryder Cup," Love said. "But I wouldn't count him out just yet."
Darren Clarke, Europe's Ryder Cup captain, also believes Woods still has the quality to make an impression. Murray reported his comments.
"I don’t think we should be too hasty to write him off because he’s gone through so many swing changes in the past and managed to prove people wrong," Clarke said. "He’s one of the best players that’s ever played the game and we tend to forget that a bit too quickly."
Woods has made seven appearances at the Ryder Cup, playing 29 matches with a record of 13-14-2, according to the tournament's official website. He has won 14 points in total but missed last year's competition, which saw Europe triumph for the third time in a row.
Supporters of the golfing great will be hoping he can burst into life across the next few months, outlining himself as a suitable member of the selection. Team USA has some bright young talents coming through—led by Jordan Spieth—so Woods may struggle to make the cut.
Love appears ready to give him every opportunity to do so, however, which is all the legendary golfer can ask for at this point in his career.
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