Tiger Woods Picked for the U.S. Ryder Cup Team

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. – After achieving one of his goals on Tuesday by being named to the U.S. Ryder Cup team for the eighth time, Tiger Woods chases another this week when he tries to advance to the Tour Championship.

Woods had already been named a vice-captain for the American side by captain Jim Furyk. But his strong play in 2018, experience and leadership convinced Furyk he would be a bigger asset as a player.

Woods was one of three at-large picks announced Tuesday, along with Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau. Furyk will reveal his final choice on Monday.

“Deep down, I wanted to make the team,” said the 42-year-old Woods, who has overcome four back surgeries to post five top-10 finishes this year. “It’s beyond special.”

Woods previously played for the U.S. in 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012.

Woods will step down as a vice-captain.

“I may have a little input here and there,” he said.

The matches are Sept. 28-30 at Le Golf National near Paris, site of the European Tour’s annual French Open.

On Thursday, Woods tees it up in the BMW Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in the third of four FedExCup playoff events. The field features 70 players, with the top 30 in the overall point standings qualifying for the Tour Championship, Sept. 20-23 at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Woods is the only two-time FedEx Cup winner (2007, 2009), but hasn’t competed at East Lake since 2013.

He begins this week ranked No. 25 in the standings. Woods will play the first two rounds with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler, starting Thursday at 11:30 a.m. ET on the 10th hole, then goes Friday at 12:25 p.m. ET on the first hole.

Woods is competing for the fifth time in six weeks, tying for 24th on Monday at the Dell Technologies Championship.

On Tuesday, he played a nine-hole practice round at Aronimink with Rory McIlroy before attending the Ryder Cup press conference.

For the first time in 16 tournaments this year, Woods chose not to play in the pro-am on Wednesday. PGA Tour rules allow every player to skip two pro-ams each year.

Aronimink Golf Club was designed by legendary architect Donald Ross and underwent restoration by Gil Hanse in 2015. The 7,190-yard course plays to a par-70 and features 178 bunkers and four testy par-3s.