Would you have picked Tiger Woods for Presidents Cup team?

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Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the topic. Weigh in with a comment of your own.

Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant

Absolutely not.

U.S. captain Fred Couples says Woods “is the best player in the world forever.”

In the past, yes, but no way today. Woods has plummeted from No. 2 in the world to No. 36. He didn’t even crack the top 125 in PGA Tour earnings to play in the FedEx Cup postseason.

Woods is 28th in the Presidents Cup standings. That’s right between Kevin Na and D.A. Points –- not exactly Rory McIlroy and Steve Stricker.

Couples had until Sept. 26 to make his two captain’s picks. Why didn’t he wait to see if Woods could play himself onto the team?

With Woods’ selection, how does a Jim Furyk (11th in the U.S. Presidents Cup standings) or a PGA champion Keegan Bradley (18th) stay motivated to try to earn a captain’s choice?

No one deserves a spot. You have to earn it.

Bill Kline, The Morning Call

Sure, the field has caught and even trampled Tiger Woods at stroke-play tournaments. But Woods still has more talent than the bottom third of the U.S. Presidents Cup team combined. In match play, particularly one-on-one, he has as much resolve as a freedom fighter. And when Woods is inspired –- as he will be after his selection is maligned by some – his engine gets fired up more than Dick Vitale preaching at a motivation seminar.

Forget the slump and the injuries and the personal meltdown. Head-to-head, Woods still can stare you down like Jack and rip out your heart like MJ. And come Sunday’s singles play, when every cup point is precious, Woods will make us proud.

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