Woods wishes team well, but won't attend

[September 17, 2008]  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The closest Tiger Woods will get to the Ryder Cup is in front of his television.

Despite speculation on various Web sites that Woods planned to show up at Valhalla Golf Club this week, he said Tuesday in a monthly newsletter he has no intention of coming.

"I plan to watch the Ryder Cup this week, but I will not attend," Woods said. "U.S. captain Paul Azinger has my cell phone number and he or any U.S. player can call me any time. If I can offer any assistance, I'm happy to help."

Woods has a 10-13-2 record in his five Ryder Cup appearances. He had season-ending knee surgery two weeks after winning the U.S. Open for this 14th major. Woods' absence means the United States does not have a current major champion on its team for the first time since the Ryder Cup began in 1927.

Woods has said he has not watched much golf since his surgery, and is not sure how much help he could be, although he won the PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2000.

"I doubt I can do much, since I can't play practice rounds and am not privy to their team chemistry," Woods said. "I also don't know who is playing well, who is injured, and have no feel for how the course is playing. But I'll be happy to offer my opinion. I wish the American team well and hope they can bring back the Cup."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.