Tiger Woods will be at the Ryder Cup next year... as a vice-captain

The great career of Tiger Woods may be coming to an end sooner than we expected.

In an unexpected move, American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III named the 14 time major winner as one of his vice captains ahead of next years event in Hazeltine. Traditionally the position of vice captain is given to a player near the end of his career, potentially grooming them for the captaincy.

Woods' selection came as a shock in an announcement that also so Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker give the same positions. Furyk has played in the previous nine Ryder Cup matches and Stricker was a vice captain in Gleneagles last year after the appearances as a player.

Despite Woods appointment as vice captain, Love feels the former World number one can make the team. "We have the luxury with five guys that Tiger wants to be a playing assistant. That's his goal. With five guys, we have the luxury of letting him do that. Jim and Tom and I and Steve, we want to make the team but we're realistic. If we make the team, somebody else is going to have to take our role."

Woods is confident too of qualifying to make the team. “ This is something I want to do. I will continue to do whatever I can to help win the Cup back. Once I’m fully healthy, I’d like to try to make the team too, but either way, I’m very excited to work with Davis, the other Vice Captains and the players to get a U.S. victory.” 

The event takes place next September and October in Minnesota. Europe have won eight of the ten previous Ryder Cup matches.

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