• Ryder Cup

Tiger not feeling the heat

ESPN staff
September 25, 2010
Tiger Woods has been working on his swing with coach Sean Foley © Getty Images
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Tiger Woods insists he feels no extra pressure to perform at the Ryder Cup after being forced to rely on a captain's pick.

The world No. 1 is preparing to make his sixth appearance in the event at Celtic Manor, but for the first time in his career he had to wait on a call from USA captain Corey Pavin after failing to qualify.

Woods' has won just ten points from a possible 24 in five previous appearances at the Ryder Cup, and Pavin has insisted he will feel no obligation to pick Woods for all five matches.

Woods departs for Wales on Sunday to get a feel for the course at Celtic Manor but he admits he does not know who he will be playing with. Steve Stricker was singled out as a potential partner for Woods after their successful pairing at the Presidents Cup, but Woods insists it is not set in stone.

"I'm excited about going over there and competing and playing with whomever my captain puts me out there with," Woods said in a blog on his official website. "I've never missed a match, but we'll see what happens. I just want to get over there and see the golf course and be ready come Friday.

"Contrary to what some people might think, I don't feel extra pressure or incentive as a captain's pick to perform. The goal is to win every match you're put out there so you can help the team retain the Cup.

"I'm not sure who I will play with; it keeps changing. I just have to take care of my own business and be ready to play."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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