Zach Johnson gives Tiger Woods two conditions to PLAY in 2023 Ryder Cup

Zach Johnson is not ruling out Tiger Woods playing in the 47th Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.

Thu, 12 Jan 2023

Zach Johnson gives Tiger Woods two conditions to PLAY in 2023 Ryder Cup

Zach Johnson is not ruling out Tiger Woods playing in the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Speaking before the Sony Open in Hawaii, the U.S. Ryder Cup captain claimed that Woods is part of the team, adding: "It's just a matter of to what degree, right?"

Qualifying for the 44th Ryder Cup will seem like a long-shot for Woods given that the now 47-year-old is reduced to limited playing opportunities.

All being well, it's likely that we could only see the recent Hall of Fame inductee at all four major championships in 2023 and perhaps one or two more PGA Tour events.

Woods revealed before he had to withdraw from his own tournament in the Bahamas that he had developed plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

He is due to host the Genesis Invitational next month at Riviera and there have been unconfirmed reports that Woods is targeting a start in California.

Woods made only three starts in 2022 and completed 72 holes just once at the 86th Masters.

That being said, Johnson is not ruling out the 15-time major champ from participation providing he's "putting up some numbers".

Johnson told the media:

"I would only contemplate having him on the team if he felt -- if he was putting up some numbers and some scores, No. 1, showing some sign of being competitive.

"And then No. 2, that discussion would be had with the other guys that are a part of that team, and specifically him. If there is anything I trust in Tiger Woods, is that he's extremely invested in this team and the future Cups. Extremely invested. I can't speak that enough."

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Johnson also believes that Woods would make be honest in the assessment of his own fitness.

He continued:

"And then I think you would do anything and everything for betterment of the team. I assume he would say -- I don't like basing on assumptions, but I confident that he would say, yeah, I can play, or no, I can't, if that makes sense.

"Now, from all accounts, and we're communicating with him quite a bit. Actually trying to get a phone call here shortly, but nothing of any substance. He's a part of the team. It's just a matter of to what degree, right?

"Another piece of that is this golf course. You've seen it. It's fun in a golf cart. I don't think it's going to be a whole lot of joy just walking, because, you know, it's extremely -- it's definitely hillier than Augusta National."

The 47th Ryder Cup will take place at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy over 29 September - 1 October.

Next page: Tiger dishes on new TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver

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