Rory McIlroy follows Tiger Woods on Twitter so it was somewhat surprising that he was stunned to learn that the 14-time major winner had been named a vice captain for the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Tiger Woods as Ryder Cup vice captain stuns Rory McIlroy
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Excited to join @Love3D, the other VCs & @RyderCupUSA as a Vice Captain, and help #TeamUSA get a victory in 2016: https://t.co/p5wzvoyOYI
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 18, 2015 McIlroy’s reaction to the news, which he learned after an opening round of 4-under 68 at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, was to wonder about the state of Woods’ nagging back injury.
“I mean, he’s not playing?” asked McIlroy, who was two shots back of Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter and two others, and tied with Race to Dubai opponent Danny Willett after 18 holes. “I don’t know what to think about that … I really don’t. It’s great that he wants to help the U.S. team in any way that he can, and if that’s not in a playing capacity, then as a vice captain.
“Just sort of makes me think what really his health is like and how he feels,” said McIlroy, who completed his first round in style.
Woods finished tied for 10th at the Wyndham Championship at the end of August, his best result in 2015 and his last competitive round before undergoing a second microdiscectomy some three weeks later. A subsequent procedure last month to relieve discomfort from the September operation left him bed-ridden and unable to provide a timetable for his return to the PGA Tour.
Despite many golf watchers’ skepticism about his ability to play next year, let alone compete for a spot on the Ryder Cup team, Woods said Wednesday his goal was to make the squad as a playing assistant skipper. At the Wyndham, Woods was working his way back from two lost seasons but prior to that he recorded four missed cuts and a withdrawal in 10 tournaments this year.
@dougferguson405 if they don't win any points do they qualify as either? My god, what a mess
— James Corrigan (@jcorrigangolf) November 18, 2015 Woods, who failed to make the 2014 Ryder Cup due to injuries and poor play, has gone 13-17-3 in seven stints in the biennial matches with Europe. Despite his losing record, McIlroy boosted him as a motivator for younger players next fall.
“Great for the U.S. team, obviously, to have him involved in any way that they can,” said McIlroy, who hopes to defend his R2D title this week. “I’d rather see him on the course at Hazeltine but if not, at least he’ll be there and it will be a good addition for them … Definitely [a smart move by captain Davis Love III to tap Woods as one of his assistants]. One of the smarter ones.”
