Furyk backing Woods to play his part in US Ryder Cup team

FOURTEEN-TIME Major champion Tiger Woods would be “welcome” on the 2018 American Ryder Cup team, whether as a player or a vice-captain, skipper Jim Furyk said yesterday.

41-year-old Woods posted a video on Twitter of himself hitting a shot with his driver on Sunday and has been cleared to resume full golf activities by doctors after his fourth back surgery in April.

He hasn’t played since February, when he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic.

“I will say that Tiger Woods is a great resource and would be a welcome to the team, whether that would be as a playing personnel or whether that would be as a vice-captain,” Furyk told a press conference in Paris.

“He’s been a great resource and a great person to have in the team room, so I’m hoping he will be part of that team.”

Woods served as a vice-captain in the USA’s win at Hazeltine last year and during the Presidents Cup thumping of the Internationals earlier this month.

But the former World No.1 last played in the Ryder Cup back in 2012, and has only been on the winning side once in his seven appearances.

Woods’ last professional title came in 2013 when he won five on the PGA Tour, while he hasn’t claimed a Major championship since the 2008 US Open.

But were he to return to form before next year’s showdown with Europe at Le Golf National in Paris, then there would be huge clamour for Furyk to give him a Ryder Cup place.

“I think that’s great news. The swing that I saw on that video looked a lot like Tiger Woods,” Furyk added.