Tiger at Ryder ‘would be massive’

VAL-D’ISE, France — European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn thinks having a rejuvenated Tiger Woods playing for the Americans against his team in Paris in September would be a “massive bonus” for golf.

Fourteen-time major champion Woods has impressed since returning to the PGA Tour after a series of injury problems, notching back-to-back top-five finishes for the first time since 2013.

Bjorn said on the weekend he wouldn’t be disappointed if his players have to face the former world No 1, adding “it would be unbelievable for the game”.

“Tiger’s involvement in the Ryder Cup is hugely important for the game said Bjorn.

“He is the ultimate superstar in sport and it’s very important for the game that he’s part of the spectacle.

“I think it’ll be great for the game if he plays, and a massive bonus for the Ryder Cup in France. If Tiger got back to a place where he was among the best 12 players in America ... I think for the game of golf that would be unbelievable.”

Woods will head into next month’s Masters as one of the favorites for the green jacket, a remarkable situation given he was ranked outside of the world’s top 1,000 less than a year ago.

The 42-year-old, a veteran of seven Ryder Cups, has only of golf,” been part of one winning American side, in 1999.

But Bjorn warned against underestimating “the best that’s ever played the game”.

“Now that he’s back on the golf course and playing well, once he starts getting confident he’s the best that’s ever played and he can do incredible things,” said the Dane.

“It will be interesting to see how the next three or four months develop in Tiger Woods’ golf life, because there seems to be the thing about him that’s a bit more humble.

“I think he’s really happy with the way things have developed and I think he’ll go and do really good things.”