While most spectators expect Tiger Woods to flunk this Open because of his recent back surgery, Tom Watson, United States Captain totally believes that Woods can do it, and he wants to pick him for the Ryder Cup.

"Just put it this way, I wouldn't write off Tiger Woods for a long time, the way he plays the game.

"He's a tough competitor. He knows how to swing the golf club. And, yes, he's had some injuries and other things, issues, but the thing is, he's had a long career, and I fully expect it to be a longer career.

"I could ask Tiger, 'how are you feeling? How are you feeling you're hitting the ball? Are you hitting it well?' And that doesn't mean anything, really. The performance means something. I'll be watching Tiger and I want him on the team. I do. He's a tough competitor and he's great in the team room.

"As I've said about the Ryder Cup and Tiger, if he's playing well and he's healthy, I'll pick him. But then the caveat is if he doesn't get into the FedExCup, what to do then? And that's the question I can't answer right now."

"It was a late invite. I couldn't ask 20 players in December because the list hadn't been there, really. So I had to wait until a certain time, and after the US Open I started asking the players. I didn't expect too many to be able to make it.

"These guys have different plans. As I said, they played in a couple of different tournaments. It didn't bother me. If you're asking me that, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm really happy that I did it and I got a lot out of it to understand what the golf course serves up to the player."

With reports from: theguardian.com