11:04am Wednesday 8th September 2010
COREY PAVIN yesterday handed Tiger Woods the chance to go into the Ryder Cup record books – as the American with more defeats than any other.
US captain Pavin has handed his wild cards to the world number one, fellow major winners Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson and to uncapped 21-year-old Rickie Fowler, who will create his own history by making the step up from the amateur Walker Cup to the Ryder Cup in just one year.
Fowler, the third youngest player to represent America in the match, was almost certainly preferred to Anthony Kim, a star of the winning 2008 team who has yet to make a halfway cut since returning from thumb surgery last month.
Woods, needing to be picked for the first time after failing to win a tournament since his sex scandal, has vowed to do all he can to keep the trophy in American hands after they won two years ago while he was out recovering from knee surgery.
But in five previous appearances he has tasted victory only once – Boston in 1999 – and if he is beaten in four of his five games he will take over from Ray Floyd as his side’s biggest loser since the event started in 1927.
Floyd lost 16 of his 31 games between 1969 and 1993. Woods has lost 13 out of 25 since his 1997 debut at Valderrama.
“‘It’s great to be part of this team,” said Woods, who has just gone six events without a top ten finish for the first time in his career.
“I’m honoured to be selected.
I’ve been to Wales previously (for the 1995 Walker Cup, which he also lost) and I’m looking forward to going back, having a great time with the team and hopefully bringing the cup back.”
Asked about a perception of him not caring too much about the competition – he said in 2002 he would rather win a million dollars than the cup – Woods hit back.
“I’ve always loved playing the Ryder Cup and enjoy being part of the team. I don’t know where this perception of indifference comes from because I have always loved it.
“They are experiences you will never forget and you create friendships.”
■ Colin Montgomerie insists he is delighted that Tiger Woods will be on the American side defending the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales from October 1 to 3.
“Like my European team, the American side has an excellent blend of youthful talent and I am delighted to see Tiger Woods among Corey’s selections. I wish the American team safe travels and we all look forward to welcoming them to Wales.”
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