CNN
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Tiger Woods can be part of america Ryder Cup team — or at least, Zach Johnson isn’t ruling it out.
Before the Sony Open in Hawaii, US captain Johnson said he would not rule out selecting the 47-year-old Woods to participate in the tournament if he did not automatically qualify for the team.
“I would only consider keeping him in the team if he feels — if he’s putting up some numbers and some scores at No. 1, where he’s showing some signs of being competitive,” Johnson told a media conference on Wednesday. ”
“And then No. 2, that discussion will happen with other people who are part of that team, and specifically with him. If I trust Tiger Woods, it is that he is extremely invested in this team and future Cups. highly invested. That’s all I can say,” added Johnson.
“And then I think you’ll do anything and everything for the good of the team. I think he’ll say … I don’t like to base assumptions … But I believe he’ll say, ‘Yeah. , I can play, or I can’t,'”
Last year, Johnson Confirmed Woods will be part of the US Ryder Cup in “some capacity”, adding that Woods has made it a “priority”.
“Given who he is and what he is, I can’t tell you right now: I don’t know if he will be here next year, but he will be part of this team,” Johnson said.
However, Woods’ health could complicate it, Johnson acknowledged.
“He’s been through some things lately that make it difficult, whether it’s travel or what have you,” the US Ryder Cup captain said.
Injuries have hampered Woods’ recent career, ending his playing time in February 2021 after suffering a serious foot injury in a car accident.
The 47-year-old had withdrawn from the Hero World Challenge in December, citing pain in his foot, and at various points struggled with movement during the seventh edition of The Match that month.
Woods later told Golf Digest, “I think that’s something that’s realistic, one day playing Tour, never full-time, never again, but pick and choose like Mr. (Ben) Hogan.” His accident in 2021.
“Pick and pick a few events in a year and you play around that. You practice around that, and you prepare yourself for that. And you play. I think from now on I have to play it like that.” Will happen.
“It’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it.”
A biennial competition that alternates between Europe and the Americas, the Ryder Cup is being played in Italy for the first time later this year – September 25 to October 1 – at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, 10 miles from the centre. miles away. Rome.
Team US has secured the Ryder Cup for 2021 after a historically dominant performance over Europe at Whistling Straits.