WOODS TO BRING THE X FACTOR

GOLF: International captain Ernie Els is bracing for an in-form Tiger Woods to inspire his United States team to further Presidents Cup supremacy.

With the Americans winning 10 of the 12 Cups, it has struggled to attract the attention of the higher-profile Ryder Cup in which America play Europe.

But this week’s event at Royal Melbourne is a chance to garner as much attention given Woods will cap his whirlwind comeback year by becoming a rare playing captain.

Four-time major winner Els is preparing for Woods, 43, to do anything to avoid captaining a losing side. “Obviously, he’s very competitive,” Els said.

According to sources within the US team, Woods intends to play up to four matches this week.

“He’s won the Masters and won in Japan. When he’s healthy, he can play at a very high level,” Els said.

Adding to the hype this week is that polarising figure Patrick Reed – one of Woods’ captain’s picks – was involved in a cheating scandal that erupted in the 18-player World Challenge.

Former Masters winner Reed was given a two-stroke penalty when television cameras captured him making improper swings in a waste bunker.

He was sanctioned for flattening out sand behind his ball with two practice swings but insisted he didn’t improve his lie despite conceding he had moved sand.

International team member Marc Leishman said fans at Royal Melbourne now have extra ammunition to sledge the controversial Reed. Evin Priest