GUEST BY BOB HARIG | ESPN.com/St. Petersburg Times ESSAY

TAPPING TIGER The Europeans drubbed the Americans in the 2004 Ryder Cup matches. Investing Tiger Woods more in the outcome by making him an assistant captain for the 2006 team might be one way for the U.S. to get back on track.

e is the most important the whole concept of bring the team together,” said Woods, sports figure to come along whose Ryder Cup record is 7-11-2. “I basically kind of do that Hin a generation, a player now, but if I were a vice captain, it would be an official role.” who transcends golf. All the proof The next captain ought to jump on it, name Tiger an assis- you need is the commotion created tant the day he gets the job. Then consult him on every single by his recent wedding. Tiger Woods, move that is made. Preferential treatment? You bet. It happens despite the recent downturn in his all the time in the major team sports. Superstars have their say, game, is still bigger than life. and in this case, it sure makes a lot more sense to consult So a bit of advice to the next U.S. Woods than to shun him. Ryder Cup captain: Make sure he’s Then, too, it must be recognized that Woods alone cannot do PHOTO COURTESY ST. PETERSBURG TIMES on your side. it all. He is responsible for just five points. Other top players That’s not to say Woods was less than resolute for Hal Sutton during the fiasco at Oakland Hills, where the Americans suffered their worst beating ever in Ryder Cup play, a nine-point loss that still has the masses talking and the Europeans gloating. But body language alone indicated that Woods wasn’t into the whole deal. Between the ropes, Woods never dogs it, always gives it his all. But the Ryder Cup is about more than that indi- vidual effort, as the Europeans prove time and time again. And Woods wasn’t exactly embracing Sutton’s mantra to attack the Ryder Cup like he does major championships. “I would like to challenge Tiger to look at Jack Nicklaus’ Ryder Cup record and let’s go after that one, too,” Sutton said. Woods, apparently, wasn’t swayed. On the eve of the Ryder Cup, Woods wondered if reporters could recite the Ryder Cup record of the Golden Bear. Most would have been hard-pressed MIKE BLAKE/REUTERS/CORBIS to come up with 17-8-3. But no doubt they are aware of © Nicklaus’ 18 major championships. Would a bigger role for Woods mean a U.S. turnaround in 2006? The message from Woods was that the Ryder Cup is never going to be as important to him as the majors, so there is no such as Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III and Jim Furyk have been point trying to force it on him. members of President Cup and Ryder Cup teams for years. But if the Americans are to avoid the embarrassment Their input is important. And so is their success on the course. of 2004, they need a committed Woods. He is too good of a “You take 12 of the best players in the world and you put player, commands too much respect from his peers. Once them out there and they have to play,” Love said. “You could inside the ropes, Woods never quits, but seems bothered by all do all kind of pairings, all kind of formats, but if Tiger Woods the hoopla that surrounds the event. and Davis Love and Phil Mickelson don’t lead this team, it’s That’s why an easygoing captain is the best bet for Ireland in hard for the next three or four guys to do it and it’s hard for 2006. Someone who will let Woods do what he wants, consult the rookies. If you’re going to point blame at anybody, you’d him on playing partners, maybe even let him be in on the at- better point it on the guys who are on the golf course.” large selections. The idea of coddling Woods might be offensive Very true. The Americans simply need to play better. But they to some, but the other way didn’t work, so why not try this? can start with Woods and see if he can’t help turn things around. Woods, who will be all of 30 years old at the next Ryder Cup, even suggested as much recently when he wondered if he Barrington, Ill. native Bob Harig was an Evans Scholar at Indiana could be an assistant captain. “What I would like is to work University. He covers golf for ESPN.com and the St. Petersburg with the captain on the pairings and team strategy and work on (Fla.) Times.

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