McIlroy: Woods as Ryder Cup assistant captain raises health concerns
When 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III announced Tiger Woods, along with Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker, would be an assistant captain for his team next October, the news raised a number of questions.
Why would Woods, who is starting the long rehab process from two back surgeries in the last two months, agree to be an assistant?
Does Woods simply not expect to return to golf in time to earn enough points to make the team outright?
Is his back that bad?
Rory McIlroy voiced similar concerns on Thursday when he was apprised of Woods’ appointment after the first round of the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
“It’s great that he wants to help the U.S. team in any way that he can, and if that’s not in a playing capacity, then as a vice-captain. Just sort of makes me think what really his health is like and how he feels like he’s going to come back from that,” McIlroy said.
“I’d rather see him on the course at Hazeltine but if not, at least he’ll be there and it will be a good addition for them.”
McIlroy called Love’s move “one of the smarter ones” he could or has made.
Patrick Reed, who is playing in the Dubai finale as well, lauded the move to bring Woods on board regardless of where his back is next year.
“It’s good to see that Tiger is getting involved,” Reed said, “and it can only help given that the American team is already looking to be a very young side, so to have someone of Tiger’s ability could be a huge boost for the Americans.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
