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Woods...trying to reverse fortunes |
Ailing Tiger Woods, who fell to 38th in world rankings this week, will tee off in the Frys.com Open in October which boasts the richest purse of the PGA Tour’s fall series events.
Woods added the Frys.com to his itinerary after saying earlier he would try to add another event to his schedule in order to reverse his fortunes in time for the Presidents Cup tournament.
“I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends,” Woods said on his website Monday.
The $5mn tournament begins October 6 at CordeValle Golf Club near San Jose.
“John Fry and his company have supported the tour, and I’ve heard good things about the event and the golf course,” said Woods, who grew up in Los Angeles. “One of my goals this year was to participate in a tournament I hadn’t played before, and now, I will.
“I always enjoy competing in my home state, and this tournament fits my schedule perfectly.”
Woods has played just eight USPGA Tour events this year partly because of injuries to his left knee and Achilles’ tendon.
Woods has never played the Tour’s fall series events but a couple of weeks ago he was urged by American Presidents Cup team captain Fred Couples to play more tournaments. Couples announced last week that Woods would be included on the American squad as a captain’s pick.
Ten players automatically qualify for the US team based on points accumulated over the past two years.
Two captains’ selections complete the team that will compete against a team of International players at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia November 14-20.
The Internationals include players from outside Europe, taking on the US in a Ryder Cup-style match play showdown.
Woods failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship earlier this month and also failed to make it into the FedEx Cup playoffs. The PGA Championship was just Woods’ second tournament in eight weeks.
Woods, who has played every Presidents Cup since he first became eligible in 1998, has already said he would play the Australian Open and the one day Notah Begay charity event in New York on Wednesday.
The Frys.com will be his first appearance on the PGA Tour since the PGA Championship.
Woods also plans to play in Asia before heading to the Aussie Open followed by the Presidents Cup in Melbourne the following week.
There is also a chance he could play in the Chevron World Challenge in late November.
World Cup teams for China
Ian Poulter will partner Justin Rose in the England team to take part in the World Cup in China in November.
Poulter had the chance to select an England team-mate after higher-ranked Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Paul Casey all turned down the event.
He and Rose were partners in the 2008 Ryder Cup, winning two of their three games together, and at the 2007 World Cup, where they finished fourth.
Ireland look strong with the last two US Open champions, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in harness while Italy once again feature the Molinari brothers Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, who claimed the title for Italy two years ago.
The US go with Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland.
China, who qualify as hosts, will be represented by Liang Wen-chong and Zhang Xin-jun at the event proper which takes place at Hainan Island from November 24-27.