• Ryder Cup

Tiger reaffirms Ryder Cup desire

Tiger Woods' game is heading in the right direction under the watchful eye of Sean Foley © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Pavin drops huge Ryder Cup hint on Tiger
  
• Profile: Matt Kuchar | Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods has missed out on an automatic spot for the USA Ryder Cup team, but has made it clear that he wants to earn a wildcard from captain Corey Pavin.

Woods finished in a tie for 28th in the final qualifying event of the year at the USA PGA Championship - leaving him in 12th in the standings. Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson eased their way into the team on account of their high finishes at Whistling Straits - with Anthony Kim and Lucas Glover dropping out of the top eight.

Pavin has much to ponder with a number of star names, Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson among them, missing out. Woods is the most high profile of those requiring a wildcard and he has left Pavin in no doubt that he wants to play at Celtic Manor.

"I feel like my game is a lot better than it was obviously last week, and given a little bit more time it's starting to head in the right direction now, which is good," Woods said after carding a 73 in the final round. "And I'm looking forward to it, hopefully Corey will pick me on the team."

Woods expects to be in contact with Pavin over the course of the next couple of weeks. He said: "Corey texts me a lot so, I'm sure he'll be texting me or calling me and I'm sure we'll be talking. We still have what, two more weeks, right? Two more weeks before the picks? Three more weeks?"

There were signs of improvement in Woods' game at the US PGA, having worked with coach Sean Foley prior to the event. The world No. 1 has not yet made a decision on whether to work with Foley on a full-time basis, but is likely to seek him out again.

"I asked him to take a look at my swing this week and give me some ideas of what he sees," Woods said. "I like some of the things he had to say about my golf swing and where I needed to go. I like the direction because I was able to hit the shots that I used to be able to hit feel-wise ... and the shape of shots too which was great. So when you get that kind of contact again it's good.

"As far as working down the road, I'm sure I'm going to see him a little bit more. I still want to pick his brain a little bit more. I don't really have all of his whole concept yet. But I would like to get to know him a little bit more before I fully get into it."

USA Ryder Cup standings:
1. Phil Mickelson, 2. Hunter Mahan, 3. Bubba Watson, 4. Jim Furyk, 5. Steve Stricker, 6. Dustin Johnson, 7. Jeff Overton, 8. Matt Kuchar

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.