Tiger turns from top gun to ‘delivery’ man
CHASKA, Minnesota – Tiger Woods has endured two tough runnerup finishes in majors at Hazeltine, but he could be reduced even further, to sandwich delivery man, at the Ryder Cup this week.
Woods, the 14-time major winner who is set to return next month after more than a year off due to a back injury, is serving as an assistant to US captain Davis Love at this week’s 41st edition of the US-Europe team golf showdown.
“We’re dividing responsibilities,” Love said of himself and his assistants. “I’m in charge and I’ve given (the assistants) their charge. Tiger was giving me a hard time a couple weeks ago. He said, ‘You’re giving me way too much to do.’”
Former world number one Woods could find himself with some unusual duties given Love’s desire to make sure his players have anything and everything they need to help them win.
“We’re all having fun and just supporting the team,” Love said. “If that means we run back and get a sweater, I’ll go get a sweater.
“My son and I just delivered turkey sandwiches to the group ahead. I said, ‘ Very important here. If we don’t get the turkey sandwiches to these guys, they’re not going to be happy.’ All six of us are doing whatever we can to help out.”
Just the notion of having Woods, one of the greatest players ever at his peak, bringing him a sandwich was a wild notion for the newest major champion, US player Jimmy Walker, who won the PGA Championship in July.
“I hope guys are asking him to run and go get stuff for them, even if they don’t want it. I think that’s just great,” Walker said.
Long- hitting teammate J. B. Holmes said he thought Woods was prepared to come through in whatever way needed.
“Well, he’s a team player, and if that’s what needed to be done at the time, I’m sure he’d make sure it gets done,” Holmes said. “It’s great to have him out here, with all the experience that he’s had. An icon. It’s amazing to have him in the team room. It’s just the right atmosphere. It has been a lot of fun.”