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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky: American Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger is
more worried about the health of Tiger Woods and his quest for golf
history than how his absence will affect US hopes against Europe in
September.
Defending champion Europe will try for a fourth
consecutive victory over host US at Valhalla Golf Club in September.
World’s No. 1 Woods would have been the major
force for the Americans after clinching a Cup spot with his US Open
playoff triumph Monday.
But Woods’ announcement Wednesday that he will
undergo reconstructive knee surgery and not play again this season
ended any notion that he might lead the US squad’s next bid to
wrest away the trophy from European hands.
That left Azinger without his ace, but the
48-year-old American was more concerned that Woods should look out
for his career rather than play for his country.
“I admire Tiger as a person, player and
fan,” Azinger said. “This should not be about Tiger and the
Ryder Cup now. This is about Tiger’s health and well-being and his
march to history.”
Woods won his 14th major title by beating Rocco
Mediate in a playoff for the US Open crown, leaving him four behind
icon Jack Nicklaus for the all-time major championships lead.
Woods must now have surgery on his left anterior
cruciate knee ligament as well as rehabilitate fractures in his left
tibia.
Azinger knows about health issues. After taking
his lone major title at the 1993 PGA Championship, he was diagnosed
with lymphoma, or blood cancer. He made a comeback and won a 2000
PGA event in Hawaii.
-- AFP
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