12 January 2023 , 20:34
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Team USA Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has outlined two factors that will determine whether Tiger Woods will compete in this year's Ryder Cup. Woods has played just nine rounds of competitive golf since suffering severe injuries in a car accident in February 2021.
He made his long-awaited return to the PGA Tour in April 2022, after competing at the Masters, before also playing at the PGA Championship and 150th Open at St Andrews. Following his return at Augusta, the 15-time major champion confirmed his playing career was now a part-time one.
It remains unknown as to what events Woods will enter in 2023. Despite his reduced playing plans, Ryder Cup skipper Johnson has not ruled Woods' chances of making the American team in Rome later this year.
Speaking at this week's Sony Open, he said: "I would only contemplate having him on the team if he felt – if he was putting up some numbers and some scores, No. 1, where he’s showing some sign of being competitive.
"And then No. 2, that discussion would be had with the other guys that are a part of that team, and specifically him. If there is anything I trust in Tiger Woods, is that he’s extremely invested in this team and the future Cups. Extremely invested.
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Zach Johnson will lead the Americans to Rome (PA)"I can’t speak that enough. And then I think you would do anything and everything for the betterment of the team. I assume he would say … I don’t like basing on assumptions … but I’m confident that he would say, ‘Yeah, I can play, or no, I can’t.’"
Whether he is fit to play or not, Woods will still be involved in Team USA's setup in 'some capacity'. Speaking last October, he said: "Given who he is and what he’s all about, I can’t tell you right now: I don’t know if he will be here next year, but he will be a part of this team in some capacity."
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Tiger Woods will continue to compete on a part-time basis (Getty Images)Woods was set to feature at the Hero World Challenge in December, but was forced to withdraw due to a foot injury. Despite another year of setbacks in 2022, the golfing great admitted it was still a rewarding one, referencing his return to St Andrews as a highlight.
He told Sky Sports : "It was a tough year but also one of the more rewarding years I've had in a while. I've had a lot of setbacks over the last few years. I don't know if I ever get back to playing St Andrews in a British Open, but to be able to experience that maybe one last time at this level was very special to me."