U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker on Tiger Woods: ‘Things are moving in the right direction’
After announcing his six discretionary picks for Team USA on Wednesday, captain Steve Stricker delivered some good news on Tiger Woods.
Speaking with Carl and Dennis Paulson on “Inside the Ropes,” on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, Stricker said he’s frequently spoken to Woods about the Ryder Cup as well as Woods’ recovery from serious right leg injuries suffered in a one-car accident in the Los Angeles area in February.
Woods has not played this year. He suffered fractures in his tibia and fibula in his right leg which required immediate surgery. He also had a rod inserted in his tibia and pins and screws placed in his ankle and foot.
“He won’t be able to be a captain’s assistant this time around because of his on-going rehabilitation to try and get better. To try to play golf again. And that is going well,” Stricker said. “He’s progressing. He’s doing well, things are moving in the right direction.”
CHASKA, MN – SEPTEMBER 28: Vice-captains Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods of the United States look on during practice prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 28, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/PGA of America via Getty Images)
Woods and Stricker were assistant captains in 2016 when the U.S. defeated Europe in the Ryder Cup. Woods was one of Stricker’s assistant captains for the victorious Presidents Cup team in 2017. And Stricker was an assistant when the U.S., led by the playing-captain Woods, won the 2019 Presidents Cup.
“I’ve talked to Tiger a lot. He’s a part of this Ryder Cup family,” Stricker said. “He’s very passionate about (the Ryder Cup). He’s a great guy to talk to. He’s a great guy to lean on. We’ve had a number of talks.
“He continues to be a part of this, even though he won’t physically be here. He will be with us in spirit and help us if we need any help from afar.”
