Woods eyes dual Ryder role

TIGER WOODS is so confident his back problems are now behind him he has asked American Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk if he can be both a player and a vice-captain at this year’s match in Paris in September. Such a double role would be unprecedented in the modern Ryder Cup era and is indicative of Woods’s gathering sense of excitement that he will be ready by then to compete again at the highest level. Another illustration came when Woods (right) was asked about his glamour draw alongside Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas for the first two rounds of the Genesis Open at LA’s Riviera Country Club, which starts tomorrow. Woods couldn’t resist looking forward to the day when he takes them on with a title on the line. ‘Oh, I’d just love that, that’s something I pray will happen,’ said the 42-yearold. Asked whether it would be difficult showing two firm friends the cold shoulder come the back nine of an event, he responded: ‘It wouldn’t be difficult at all, and I wouldn’t care what they think. Hey, it would be winning time. Once I get in contention I know I’ll be able to handle myself. It’s just getting there.’ The Ryder Cup line left a media centre filled with hardened hacks positively slack-jawed. Woods was presented with the scenario of a good rather than great summer that left him around 20th in the US points list. Would he rather be a vicecaptain or a captain’s pick? ‘What’s wrong with both?’ he replied, smiling. ‘Yeah, I’d like to do both,’ he added. At least one of those roles — the non-playing one — could be confirmed as early as next week in Florida, where Furyk is holding a press conference.