Will the Tiger Come to Tee?

After not being able to be part of the successful US team of two years ago, missing out on enjoying success in front of American fans, few Ryder Cup betting punters would have considered betting against Tiger Woods to be included in the 2010 USA Ryder Cup team, despite his controversial year in the media spotlight.

However, recent reports have suggested that the American captain Corey Pavin is increasingly unsure as to whether or not golf’s most high profile player will be taking part in what is arguably golf’s most famous event.

With Woods struggling to regain top form since the revelation of shocking events in his personal life, his automatic qualification for the US team has been placed in doubt, with Tiger only needing to drop two places in the American points list for him to require a wildcard pick to make the US team.

With the odds currently stacked against the US team, something European captain Colin Montgomerie has been eager to point out, the Americans will be looking to spring an upset and retain the Cup that they won with aplomb in 2008. Having previously secured victory without the might of Tiger, the US know that they don’t necessarily need the world number one to succeed against a resurgent European team.

With perennial world number two Phil Mickelson the man expected to be the US team's leading star should Woods not end up taking part, it would provide him with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that he can take over at the top of the golfing world on a permanent basis.

With just under two months to go until the start of the tournament and with the favourite odds of winning US PGA more relevant than ever, European fans will be hoping to see Tiger continue his dip in form... at least until the Ryder Cup is safely back in European hands.