Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Woods, Els named captains for Presidents Cup
Tiger thinking about possible player role as well
“Probably the greatest misperception is that I was, I should have been one of the leaders of the team. I mean, I was just a rook,” Woods said of the ‘97 Ryder Cup. “I was just soaking it all in. I’ve been always the young guy on the team for probably three, four Cups. So that was interesting.
“Now it’s a little bit different. I’m one of the older guys.”
While sidelined by injuries, Woods began to forge relationships with golf’s younger stars as he became heavily involved in team events.
Woods served as an assistant to Steve Stricker during the 2017 Presidents Cup. Woods already has agreed to serve for the second time as a vice captain at the Ryder Cup, set for this fall outside of Paris.
“It was an evolution that I didn’t foresee happening because I thought I would be more of the the player, but I wasn’t,” Woods said. “I got to know them on a totally different side … and it was an open dialogue with a lot of these guys.”
Now, Woods suddenly appears capable of qualifying for the team.
This week’s API will be just Woods’ fifth start since he since he returned from major back surgery, but he is making rapid, if not unexpected progress.
Last week at the Valspar Championship outside Tampa, he tied for second place — his best finish since August of 2013. Earlier that year, Woods last played Bay Hill and recorded his record eight win in Arnold Palmer’s tournament.
Woods recalled Hale Irwin served as a player-captain during the inaugural Presidents Cup in 1994. Woods said he raised the possibility with Monahan.
“That’s a bridge that’s a long way away from crossing,” Woods said. “But if it does come to that point, it won’t just be my decision. It will be a collaborative effort — what is best for the team.”
A strong showing this week would be another major step is Woods’ comeback.
Woods arrived Tuesday to Bay Hill and worked on chipping and putting for around an hour. When he tees off at 7:20 a.m. today during the Pro-Am, he will begin to familiarize himself with the golf course and plot a strategy.
Woods will open play at 8:20 a.m. Thursday, grouped with 2016 winner Jason Day and world No. 6 Hideki Matsuyama.
The crowds are sure to be huge on what is expected to be a chilly Orlando morning. Wednesday night temperatures are forecast to dip into the low 40s.
“Just because I won here eight times doesn’t mean I’m going to win this week automatically,” he said. “I still got to do the work. I still got to go through the process of getting myself in position. But I understand the golf course, I’ve played it under so many different varying conditions.
“I’ve got to do some serious homework tomorrow, though.”