• Ryder Cup

Woods driven by past Cup failures

ESPN staff
September 25, 2012
Tiger Woods has won just one Ryder Cup having played the competition six times © PA Photos
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The Ryder Cup gets underway at Medinah Country Club on September 28. ESPN will have extensive coverage of the event - including interactive text commentary, reports and reaction - for all three days.

Tiger Woods admits that the memories of the United States' recent losing record at the Ryder Cup weigh heavily on his shoulders as he prepares to help the Americans regain the trophy at Medinah.

Woods has just one Ryder Cup victory to his name - the 1999 win at Brookline - having played the event six times, missing the US victory in 2008 after undergoing knee surgery.

His current Ryder Cup record reads 13 wins, 14 losses and two ties and, while he has only ever lost once in singles play, Woods believes he ought to have done better for the American cause.

"Well, certainly I am responsible for that [recent run of defeats], because I didn't earn the points that I was put out there for," Woods said. "I believe I was out there, what, in five sessions each time, and I didn't go 5‑0 on our side.

"So I certainly am a part of that, and that's part of being a team. I needed to go get my points for my team, and I didn't do that.

"Hopefully I can do that this week, and hopefully the other guys can do the same and we can get this thing rolling."

Woods admitted that despite winning two US PGA titles at Medinah he has had to do his homework on the new-look course envisioned by Davis Love III, and the American team are still testing pairings ahead of the first matches on Friday.

Woods was paired with regular team format partner Steve Stricker on Tuesday morning, but insists it is not certain the duo will play together come Friday.

"Obviously we have an idea of what we want to do, but also then again, that can certainly change," he said. "I think we are going to go out there and see how today is, and the most important thing about these next two days is just getting to know this new golf course for us.

"I've been here two PGAs, and it's a different golf course again. I'm going to need to do my homework so that whoever I go out with, that I will be ready and able to contribute and understand this golf course and how to play it."

Woods was once again asked about the possibility of facing Rory McIlroy during the competition, and admitted it is fun to take on the opposition's top dog and try and set the tone for your side.

"You're always going to want to try and take out their best player, and that's just part of the deal," he said. "That's a fun challenge.

"I certainly have relished it over the years and I'm sure he's going to relish it this week."

As for any advice on dealing with being a marked man, Woods wasn't exactly going to help out his young rival. He joked: "Well, I'm not going to say anything; obviously he's playing for the other team.

"We can talk about it afterwards!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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