The headline in a U.S. publication summed it up: "U.S. loses its Ryder Cup star Tiger Woods."
There's not a whole lot more that has to be said to explain why the Americans haven't won a Cup since 1999, losing three in a row and five of the last six. It's a team event, where the individual dedicates himself to the team effort.
The indisputable fact that the Yanks don't get this whatsoever was re-emphasized this week when Tiger said he had turned down an invitation from U.S. captain Paul Azinger to serve as an assistant captain when the 36th Ryder Cup Matches are played Sept. 16-21 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.
Azinger already has three assistants, former U.S. captains Ray Floyd and Dave Stockton, and Azinger's pal Olin Browne, who has no Ryder Cup experience. Why he would ask Tiger to join his posse is beyond me.
Aside from the fact that it would serve as a tremendous distraction and that U.S. TV cameras would focus more on him cruising around in his cart than on the on-course action, Tiger has been a disappointment in past matches. What inspiration or advice could he offer on team play?
In five Ryder Cups, he's 3-1-1 in singles, 3-6-1 in foursomes (alternate shot), and 4-6-0 in fourballs (better ball), with a point percentage of .44 and a 10-13-2 overall record. Perhaps Azinger saw a kindred spirit? After all, in four Cups he was 2-0-2 in singles, 2-2-0 in foursomes and 1-5-1 in fourballs with a point percentage of .43 and a 5-7-3 overall record.
Azinger's history at these matches is colourful, to say the least, and demonstrates his competitive fire. In 1993, he was playing Nick Faldo (who will be the opposing captain at Valhalla) in singles when Faldo made an ace. But despite that, and the fact that the Euros clinched while their match was still being played, Azinger grimly held on to halve the match on 18.
The most memorable quote of his Ryder Cup career came not from him, however, but about him and from none other than Seve Ballesteros, his sworn enemy.
He called the 1991 American squad, "11 nice guys and Paul Azinger."
This time around, it will no doubt be 12 nice guys and Paul Azinger, but it won't be a team, with or without Tiger, healthy or not.