The captain of that winning team Paul Azinger says that he would not select him because he's not fit, not playing well and doesn't know where the ball is going.
The captain of this year's squad Tom Watson held court yesterday, his team of nine is listed here http://www.rydercup.com/usa/2014/team/usa-ryder-cup-points-list?atrack=hp_carrousel-t1_16. The debate that rages is will Tiger be in his 3 captain's picks, and Tom was saying all the politically correct things, while giving him the out I believe he must use when the final decision is made on September 2.
I can't assess his medical condition and I honestly can't assess how he's playing," Watson said. "It really is going to be having to come from information from Tiger himself. But, again, I don't make this comment loosely. He is Tiger Woods and he brings a lot to the team, if he has the ability to play and he's healthy. He brings a lot to the team. And I'd be a fool not to consider him. He's a very positive influence on the players. But the most important thing is can he play? Can he physically play and is he playing well?
Well Tom here are 10 reasons you should not pick Tiger no matter what he says...
1. Woods has gone more than a year without winning. He played eight tournaments and completed 72 holes only three times. He missed two cuts, withdrew from the final round of two other tournaments and missed a 54-hole cut at Torrey Pines, where he is an eight-time winner. His best finish was a tie for 25th at Doral, where Woods played in the next-to-last group on Sunday and posted his highest score ever (78) in the final round.
2. He finished at No. 70 in the Ryder Cup standings.. come on !
3. His Ryder Cup record 13-17-3 is mediocre at best and that was compiled in the main when he was the best on this planet .. by far
4. US has only won twice in the last nine outings with him as the man at the heart of the team.
5. There is a new sheriff in town called Rory, and Tiger no longer rattles the pots and pans of any of this European team. Respect yes..Fear..no (Team Europe http://www.rydercup.com/europe/2014/team/european-ryder-cup-points-list?atrack=hp_rc_points_list_13 )
6. Injury reports pending, Dufner, Moore, Todd, Bradley and Kirk have all earned selection and they are next in line, all of them have played well recently, which is what Watson is looking for, further down Simpson, Snedeker and good old Steve Stricker are in form.
7. Here are Tiger's stats this year http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.08793.tiger-woods.html/statistics they are not pretty including an actual scoring average of 72.48, he only hits a little over 50% of fairways, is pulling everything he misses way left.
8. He desperately needs to play competitive rounds, and now he can't because the Fed Ex playoffs start next week and he is of course not eligible, so is left practicing in south Florida, which of course tells captain Watson nothing.
9. NBC who have the Ryder Cup rights through 2030 are lobbying hard to get Tiger in the team, because they don't mind if he shoots 64 or 84, he moves their ratings needle, and for the good of the game, it's future and the US Team's future, their view is understandable, however short sighted. Time to move on...
10. Selecting Tiger makes a mockery of the whole points accumulation system, he is 70th in the standings, if it were anyone else they wouldn't even get a mention, and I wouldn't be writing this.
Watson's stance has been if Tiger says he's good to go, he's in. If Tiger is honest he needs to relieve Tom of making that mistake.
Pick up the phone Tiger, offer to be an assistant captain, a cheerleader, a resource.. anything but a player...See you at Augusta..
Bryan Angus
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