Pavin puts his faith in Tiger for Ryder Cup
TIGER WOODS has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by captain Corey Pavin after getting the nod to play on the US Ryder Cup team.
The world No1 was one of Pavin’s four wildcard picks for the event at Celtic Manor on 1-3 October, joining Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink and Rickie Fowler.
Woods, 34, missed out on the eight automatic qualifying places for the first time in his career following a torrid year, which led to five months out from the game as he battled to save his marriage.
“It’s great to be a part of this team, I’m honoured to be selected,” said Woods, who missed the last event at Valhalla in 2008 after knee surgery. “If you go back a couple of months ago, I was trying to make the team on points. It wasn’t until the PGA that I didn’t.
“I think my game was turning around then. I’ve played better the last two weeks and here we are. I’ve been to Wales previously in the Walker Cup and looking forward to going back and having a great time with the team and hopefully bring the cup back.”
On picking Tiger, Pavin added: “I was hoping he would qualify on points,” said Pavin. “He didn’t but then I was just waiting to see how he was going to play. I was pleased to see him playing better.”
Fowler, meanwhile, at 21, is the third youngest American Ryder Cup player ever and creates history by making the leap from Walker Cup to Ryder Cup in the space of just a year.
“It’s awesome to be selected and I have to thank Corey for giving me the opportunity,” he said.
European captain Colin Montgomerie welcomed Woods’s participation, adding: “I am delighted to see Tiger Woods amongst Corey’s selections – the Ryder Cup is a better event with him in it.”