Tiger Woods withdraws from consideration of Ryder Cup pick

[tmac20]

Quote:

“While I greatly appreciate Tom (Watson) thinking about me for a possible captain’s pick, I must take myself out of consideration,” he said in a release. “I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now.

“I’m extremely disappointed that I won’t be ready for the competition. The U.S. team and the Ryder Cup mean too much to me not to be able to give it my best. I’ll be cheering for the U.S. team. I think we have an outstanding squad going into the matches.”

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/woods-withdraws-consideration-ryder-cup-pick/

[jamo]

A good, cautious move for once.

[Mr. Desmond]

Reality ... sets in for Tiger.

Good for his future and the game.

[iacas]

He's not playing in Notah's thing either.

[colin007]

Good choice, Tigs. He and I don't care all that much about the Ryder Cup.

[isukgolf]

Good news for everyone ... Tom does not have to "not" select him ... If he did select him, then the debate of Tiger was a bad choice when the US loses is off the table ... I see a win/win here, because I feel the US is not going to take this one ...

[RJH999]

Good. Also means he likely won't play the Frys in Napa. McIlroy also said he's deferring to play Napa in 2015. Which mean I know what year I'm getting my tickets! ------------ In unrelated news, there is a dude in the US Amateur who has Ricky Barnes' swing and Ricky Barnes' clothing. I don't know if anyone else is watching this, but I'm pretty sure it's Ricky Barnes in disguise. EDIT: Ricky Barnes won his match. I couldn't be happier.

[David in FL]

No surprise at all. No way Watson was going to pick him, so maybe some preemptive face-saving here....

[billchao]

No way Watson was going to pick him, so maybe some preemptive face-saving here....

I was actually thinking that he was going to pick Tiger. I've seen a lot of sports decision makers choose to sign and play athletes based on their legacy and previous body of work, rather than their current state. My gut feeling was that the same thing was going to happen here.

[MS256]

Seems to me that almost everything Watson has said lately seemed to be a hint for Tiger to withdraw so he wouldn't have to make the decision.

(Not that I can blame him).

Tiger finally took the hint.

[mchepp]

I agree with this move, rest is best. I wish he would have done it earlier.

[Zeph]

Good. See you next year, Tiger. Or maybe in December, for his World Challenge.

[Hardballs]

Tom- "hey tiger, how ya doin? I been thinking, rather than not pick you and set the media on a tom not not picking tiger frenzy, why not withdraw yourself from selection, that way, they'll get off my back and you won't have to pretend to be not bothered! We both know your not fit anyway,..Whaddayareckon?" Tiger- "I was just thinking the same thing tom! I'll do it tomorrow!"

[Silent]

That's too bad. For Team Europe that is.

[Shorty]

No surprise at all.

No way Watson was going to pick him, so maybe some preemptive face-saving here....

I don't think so, but it's a predictable comment.

If Norman could pick Adam Scott a few years back for Presidents Cup when he was on the verge of quitting the game, Watson could certainly have picked Tiger this year.

[David in FL]

I don't think so, but it's a predictable comment. If Norman could pick Adam Scott a few years back for Presidents Cup when he was on the verge of quitting the game, Watson could certainly have picked Tiger this year.

Seems to me that Norman and his team lost that Presidents Cup.... ;-)

[Wally Fairway]

That's too bad. For Team Europe that is.

Meh - I still think they are the favored team; the only loser in this is NBC and the hype machine they would have spun up related to Tiger....well that and all the Tiger fans (aka not golf fans)

[DwightC]

Good decision by Woods.  I hope he didn't do any long term damage to himself over the last six weeks.