If there were any lingering question marks about whether Tiger Woods had the appetite for the Ryder Cup, the troubled world number one dispelled them with only two words. Asked for his reaction to Rory McIlroy's comments last month that he would love to face the out-of-form superstar, Woods replied: "Me too." It was an ominous-sounding statement of intent from the 34-year-old superstar, who received a wildcard for the United States team from captain Corey Pavin after the worst year of his professional career. Pavin has hardly been able to conceal his delight that the Europeans have helped give potentially his most potent asset some additional motivation. "I think other people have said things like that to Tiger in the past and have maybe regretted it," Pavin said, referring to Stephen Ames, who poked fun at Woods's wayward driving at the 2006 World Match Play Championship. The following day Ames was beaten nine and eight in the first round. "Anything that gets players fired up is always a positive thing for that player who is getting fired up," Pavin said. "I know that Tiger is aware of the comment." Woods's determination to make a point may also have been accentuated by occasional media questions that have gleefully reminded him of the difficulties he has faced this year. "You don't win majors anymore, you don't win regular tournaments anymore and you are about to be deposed by Europeans or Phil Mickelson as the world number one," one journalist asked Woods on Tuesday. "Where is the Ryder Cup on your agenda now that you're an ordinary golfer?" Woods also had to face down questions about whether the wives and girlfriends of his United States team-mates -- many of whom are friends of his ex-wife -- would give him the cold shoulder. "We are here as a team," Woods said. "We're here to win The Ryder Cup." Perhaps trying to play down any perceived taunting, Europe captain Colin Montgomerie quickly hailed the 14-time major champion as the greatest golfer in the history of the sport following his arrival in Wales. "I think Tiger has come here as a very different individual, he has, and he is part of this team and wants to prove he is part of the team and wants to do well for the team," Montgomerie said. "It is great that Tiger is here. "I'm glad that Tiger is here this time with something to prove, if you like, and it will be very interesting to see how Tiger plays and how many points Tiger achieves from how many games he might play." In five previous appearances Woods has only featured on a winning American team once, at Brookline in 1999, and in 24 matches he has a losing record -- winning nine, losing 13 and halving two. The hoopla surrounding Woods has been cited by some as a reason for the problems the United States had in breaking Europe's dominance over much of the past decade, until they won without him in 2008. A popular theory is that the absence of Woods at Valhalla two years ago liberated a fresh-faced American team and forced Paul Azinger's inexperienced line-up to step up to the plate. Others have questioned whether Woods will be a hindrance or a help at Celtic Manor. Peter Oosterhuis, a veteran of six Ryder Cups, suggested recently that Woods' presence may prove corrosive. "Reading about things that have happened with Tiger playing the Ryder Cup before, he hasn't fitted in with the team very well at all. I have my doubts about how he will this year," Oosterhuis said. The compelling counter-argument is that every golfer on the planet would want Woods in their team if given the choice. "If you had to make a six-footer on Sunday afternoon to win the Ryder Cup, who would you pick?" asked Greg Norman. "It would be Tiger Woods. He's made more six-footers to win championships than any other player on that team." Unlike previous campaigns, Pavin believes Woods will feel less burdened by expectation after the problems of the past year. Asked if he felt Woods was under more pressure to perform in Wales, Pavin replied: "I'd argue the opposite actually. "He's in a position as a pick and he has not played up to his own standards. But he's playing some very good golf now, just like everybody on the team. u00a0

If there were any lingering question marks about whether Tiger Woods had the appetite for the Ryder Cup, the troubled world number one dispelled them with only two words.

Tiger ready to roar at Ryder Cup

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast

Home / Sports / Other Sports / Article / Tiger ready to roar at Ryder Cup

Tiger ready to roar at Ryder Cup

Trending Stories

Latest Photos

Latest Videos

Latest Web Stories

Mid-Day Fast