Tiger Woods is currently undergoing rehabilitation treatment after rolling over his car and being charged with driving under the influence in a crash in Florida in March
Tiger Woods could be involved in the Ryder Cup next year, with US captain Jim Furyk keen to tap into his expertise. Woods has returned to the United States after spending 40 days receiving treatment in Switzerland following his car crash.
The golf legend was charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test after rolling his Land Rover in Florida in March. He went to Zurich for rehabilitation and it remains unclear whether he will make a return to golf.
The 50-year-old landed at Palm Beach International Airport on his private jet and is still focused on his recovery. He was reportedly seen walking with a limp on the tarmac, with the crash and his torn Achilles appearing to still hamper him.
The next Ryder Cup takes place in Adare Manor, Ireland, in September 2027 but Furyk is already planning for how the US will get revenge on Europe for their historic victory in New York in September.
“We haven’t spoken yet. I think, out of kind of courtesy for him and his family, and I know maybe a road to health, I haven’t reached out, but I will,” Furyk said when asked if Woods could play a part in the US team.
“Definitely. We’ll see where that role may fall. In the past, I think he’s kind of taken a back seat and kind of maybe served as an advice for Keegan [Bradley] and such.
“I will say I enjoyed serving – I use that word serving – as a vice-captain with him a number of times. I think he brought a lot to the team room and a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience.”
In a statement released following his arrest in late March, Woods wrote: “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
His attorney, Douglas Duncan, successfully argued that Woods needed to fly to a top-end centre in Switzerland to undergo that recovery because his high profile would make it impossible in the US. It was reported at the time that Woods had signed up for a 90-day “comprehensive inpatient treatment”.
Woods has a history of serious car accidents. In 2009, he crashed and was found to have sleeping pills in his system. In 2017, he was charged with DUI after being found asleep at the wheel – something he blamed on “an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication”.
In 2021, he was was fortunate to survive after crashing his SUV at over 80mph near Los Angeles. He suffered significant injuries, including multiple leg and ankle injuries – so bad that Woods later revealed that surgeons had considered amputation.
