Colin Montgomerie

The world number one is facing another enforced break due to a neck injury, which he suffered in The Players Championship at Sawgrass, a tournament he couldn’t complete.

Due to his off-the-course personal problems, Woods’ schedule is unclear with the only tournaments he is expected to play in being the US Open (5/1f to win at Pebble Beach) and July’s Open Championship.

Much of the media doubt whether the 14-time major winner will travel to Wales in October, as the US look to retain the trophy they won in 2008 in Valhalla.

European captain Montgomerie says Woods’ availability for the team event is an ‘unanswerable question at this stage’, but is hoping that he does make himself available.

The Scot told Sky Sports: “I’d like him to be in the Ryder Cup to be honest, I think any golf tournament with the world’s number one player in it is a bigger event, and if we happen to win the Ryder Cup with him playing I think it’s a better win for us.”

Woods’ Ryder Cup record is not that impressive for a player commonly regarded as one of, if not the best player to have played the sport.

The 34-year-old has played in five USA v Europe meetings, teeing it up in 25 matches, winning 10, losing 13 and halving two, and claiming just 11 points from a possible 25.

The US team have won the cup on just one occasion when Woods has been part of the team, at Brookline in 1999, although he will undoubtedly strengthen Corey Pavin’s team.

Meanwhile, Monty says he ‘very happy’ with how his team is shaping up with just over four months until the event begins.

With Europe having eight players in the top twenty of the world rankings, the captain is understandably upbeat about the team’s prospects of winning back the cup.

Montgomerie added: “I must be the happiest captain in many, many years to see what’s been happening. We might go there as favourites, I’m not denying that, we just have to play and prove ourselves the way we can.”

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