Tiger Woods, Two Others Selected For U.S. Ryder Cup
When Jim Furyk selected Tiger Woods as one of his vice captains for this year's Ryder Cup team, Tiger was ranked 656th in the world and had not earned a single Ryder Cup point. That was back in January. Since then, Woods has earned his spot on the U.S. team's roster.
Furyk also named Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as at-large picks Tuesday night. They will join qualifiers Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson.
There is one more spot to be filled by Furyk. That final pick will happen Monday following the BMW Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. Tony Finau is widely considered as the leading candidate.
At press conference Tuesday, Tiger was thrilled to be added to the team. Especially after such a long struggle to become a competitive golfer again.
"Deep down, I wanted to make the team. I really wanted to play on it," said Woods.
"Now I had not started playing golf really yet, but still ... it was a goal.
"... As the year progressed, I've kind of gained some traction and was somehow able to get some high finishes. And lo and behold, I'm a part of this team. It's incredible, it really is, to look back at the start of the year and now to have accomplished a goal like that, to be a part of this team, and now to be a player is just -- like I said, it's beyond special."
Woods has five top-10 finishes this year and was runner-up at the PGA Championship just a few weeks ago.