United States Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III hopes that former world number one Tiger Woods will be a pivotal member of his team next year.
Love’s men and Europe face each other at the Medinah Country Club, near Chicago, in 12 months’ time, with the USA 1/1 with bookmaker to regain the trophy by winning on home soil.
Woods is all but certain to be there, despite the off-course troubles and injuries which have hindered him over the last couple of years, with Love hoping that the 14-time Major winner will be back to top form and fitness.
The US captain told AFP: “You certainly want one of the best players ever in the game. You want him on your team.
“I’m hoping, as a friend, for Tiger’s sake, that he has a full, healthy season next year and we are not in this situation – that he’s back to his form and he’s ready to go.”