Tiger Woods Says 2018 Ryder Cup Selection 'Beyond Special'

Tiger Woods was one of three golfers named as the captain’s picks for the United States Ryder Cup team on Tuesday — the other two picked for the biennial event starting later this month were Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau.

Jim Furyk, the captain, admitted earlier this month it will be difficult to leave Woods and Mickelson out of the team despite the duo not being eligible for automatic selection. The 14-time major winner will be making his eighth appearance in the Ryder Cup, but his first since 2012.

Woods returned to playing competitive golf in January after spending majority of the last two years on the sidelines with a back injury. He underwent a spinal fusion surgery in 2017 and was unsure if he will ever return to the course.

The former world number one has impressed since his return and has played in 16 tournaments since January. Woods has recorded five top six finishes, which includes tied-five at The Open Championships and a second place finish at the USPGA Championships.

Woods was named a vice-captain of the US Ryder Cup team earlier this year, but will have to forfeit that role after he was named in the playing squad, which was his wish since his comeback. The golf legend admitted it was “beyond special” to be named in the playing squad for the tournament in Paris later in September.

“To have an opportunity to go to Europe and to have an opportunity to win a Ryder Cup and to be part of this group of guys to have that opportunity to go there, it's exciting, it really is,” Woods said, as per Sky Sports. "I made my first team at Valderrama and it was a great learning experience to see the passion that one of our late, great team leaders in Payne Stewart showed for the event.”

"He made me understand how important the Ryder Cup is and from that moment on I always wanted to be part of each and every team.

"I haven't been part of the team playing-wise for six years. I served as vice-captain a couple of years ago and that was absolutely incredible to be part of the team, to try to help these young guys in any way I could. This year, to be able to play again is beyond special,” the American added.

Woods is likely to be paired with fellow captain’s pick DeChambeau for the foursomes and fourballs events, with the duo developing a friendship on the course this season. Moreover, the duo have played numerous rounds of practice golf during the course of the season.

DeChambeau ensured his selection to the team in fine fashion as he picked up back-to-back victories at the Northern Trust and Dell Technologies Championship in the last two weeks and will be one of the in-form players coming into the biennial event.