09 September 2023 , 18:32
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Zach Johnson has confirmed that Tiger Woods will play a part at this year's Ryder Cup ahead of Team USA's title defence against Team Europe in Italy later this month.
Woods' future in professional golf still remains uncertain as he continues his battle with injury. The 15-time major champion confirmed last year that he would only be competing on the PGA Tour on a part-time basis after suffering life-changing injuries in a car crash in February 2021.
Two years on from the accident Woods made his first appearance of 2023 at the Genesis Invitational earlier this year, and managed to compete across all four rounds, finishing in a tie for 45th.
Eight weeks later Woods then returned to action at a course he knows so well, after entering the Masters for the 25th time in his career. This year's edition proved to be the toughest yet for the three-time green jacket winner though, as he battled against the elements in visible discomfort.
Despite making the cut, Woods then called it quits ahead of the fourth and final round, later revealing he was to undergo surgery on an ankle injury. Back in April, a statement on his condition read: "Earlier today, Tiger underwent a subtalar procedure to address his post-traumatic arthritis from his previous talus fracture.
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"It was performed by Dr Martin O’Malley at HSS Sports Medicine Institute in New York City. He has determined the surgery to be successful. Tiger is currently recovering and looks forward to beginning his rehabilitation.”
Woods has not featured since, but despite the lengthy time away he still be involved at this year's Ryder Cup. Johnson is the man who is leading the Americans onto away soil this year, as they head to Italy to defend the title they clinched at Whistling Straits two years ago.
Tiger Woods has not played at the Ryder Cup since 2018 (Getty)And whilst Woods will not be on the plane to Europe with Team USA., the captain will still be using his expertise. "Tiger is very much a part of Team USA and has been for years," Johnson told AP. "He is, for lack of a better term, on call with us. He is very much in the know as to what we’re trying to do.
"We're going to utilize his wisdom and he's passionate about the Ryder Cup. He wishes he could be here, but it's just not on the cards for him physically. And that's fine. I mean, he is with us. He's just not here physically." Johnson's comments come on the back of a trip to the Ryder Cup venue course, Marco Simone.
He and nine of his American players made an early trip to the Italian course in preparation for the European clash later this month. Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are all absent from the scouting trip due to "family commitments."