Tiger Woods Wants to Earn Spot as Player on 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup Team

Tiger Woods has already been named a vice captain for the 2018 Ryder Cup in September at Le Golf National, but he wants more.

On Wednesday, the 42-year-old American revealed that he has his sights set on playing in the event, per ESPN.com's Bob Harig: "Of course I want to play. I want to [be there] as a player. I have a lot of work to do between now and then to be part of the team as a player."

United States Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk announced in February that Woods would serve as vice captain. Even then, Woods noted that he was going to work hard to try to be included on the squad:

"The Ryder Cup is incredibly special to me. I am thrilled to once again serve as a Ryder Cup vice captain and I thank Jim for his confidence, friendship and support. My goal is to make the team, but whatever happens over the course of this season, I will continue to do what I can to help us keep the Cup. I'm excited about the challenge ahead."

Woods has made six appearances as a player at the event, most recently back in 2010. He has a career 13-14-2 record in 29 career Ryder Cup matches, picking up 14 points. While he is just 4-7-1 in foursomes, he has an impressive 4-1-1 record in singles. 

Although it has been nearly five years since his last PGA Tour victory and a decade since his last major title, Woods has shown signs of life in 2018. Most notably, he tied for second at the Valspar Championship and tied for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

But even with some solid showings on the course this season, he still has to prove he is worthy of a spot.

Woods ranks 33rd in the Ryder Cup rankings with 1,460.159 points. That's more than 2,200 points behind the eighth and final automatic qualifying spot. Of course, he could always be one of the four captain's picks.

Woods doesn't necessarily care how he makes the team. He just wants a shot.

"I know that the players and the captains wear different outfits as part of the Ryder Cup, and I would really like to screw that up," Woods said, via Harig.

The 2018 Ryder Cup will be held September 28-30 in Paris.