I, too, would like to take this opportunity to inform captain Tom Watson that I will not be available for the Ryder Cup in late September.
Apparently it must be necessary for everyone who has not been the least bit competitive on the PGA Tour this year to RSVP Watson with his regrets. So, consider this my notice. I just do not feel at this time that my game is where it needs to be to properly represent my country. Unless, of course, you need me out there swinging in order to incapacitate Rory McIlroy with spasms of laughter.
Tiger Woods had about as much business being a Ryder Cup consideration as you or I, and, yet, he made news Wednesday by letting Watson down easy. That’s because when Tiger Woods sneezes, golf gets a cold.
The fact that Woods had to tell Watson not to make him as a captain’s pick — as well as the fact that Watson would even be giving that serious thought — was rather remarkable. Woods is a mess. His surgically repaired back is scarcely rocking chair ready. He can’t find a fairway. He has only played eight PGA Tour events this season, and has missed the cut or withdrawn from half of those. In the other four, his average finish is 44th. He is one spot behind Patrick Cantlay in the FedEx Cup points standings (218th). And has won $1,024 fewer dollars on Tour than Tim Petrovic this season (ranking 201st on the money list).
And, frankly, it’s not like he was a Ryder Cup stallion even when tip-top (with a match play record of 13-17-3).
If Woods is going to be withdrawing his name from every upcoming event he is completely unprepared for, it is going to be a busy couple of months.
Let’s see. Sorry Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Woods will not be able to sing the role of Rodolfo in your production of La Boheme. Alas, American ProRodeo Series, Tiger won’t be riding in the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale. Dear Mayo Clinic, Dr. Woods will have to withdraw from performing any heart transplants in the foreseeable future.
Woods has penciled his return to golfing competition for December, during an Orlando event that benefits his foundation. Here’s hoping for a full and realistic return to what he does best.
