Woods Fails To Qualify

Not too many PGA Tour Betting pundits backed him to do it, but Tiger Woods was left relying on a wildcard pick for the Ryder Cup yesterday after he finished tied for 28th at the USPGA Championship.

The American had to finish in the top 15 at Whistling Straits to qualify automatically for Corey Pavin’s team. His below par performance meant that he finished 12th in the Ryder Cup standings, four places below the automatic selections.

He will now face an anxious wait to find out whether he will be representing USA at Celtic Manor later this year. Pavin will make his four wildcard selections on 7th September.

Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover also missed out on a place because of their disappointing positions in the USPGA and they will be waiting by the phone along with Woods next month.

Most would suggest that the World No.1 is likely to be picked by Pavin, but a select few are unsure. He has been in horrific form after all and his Ryder Cup record isn’t exactly superb.

Pavin will just have to ask himself – are USA more likely to win the Ryder Cup with or without Tiger Woods? – you would think the former, but we will just have to wait and see.

Europe are overwhelming favourites with those who judge US PGA odds to be victorious, so perhaps Pavin needs every superstar he can get. Could he even justify picking four players ahead of Woods?

Whatever decision he makes will create headlines so it is a massive decision for the new USA captain as the Ryder Cup moves closer and closer.