TIGER WOODS could be set to cap a remarkable sporting comeback by helping the United States retain the Ryder Cup this weekend.
Just last week, Woods won his first tournament in over five years in the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta.
And, in doing so, the 42-year-old Californian defied critics who doubted he would ever compete at the top level again.
And, in doing so, the 42-year-old Californian defied critics who doubted he would ever compete at the top level again.
After all, Woods has endured a difficult decade to say the least - although some of his problems have been of his own making.
In 2008, Woods won the last of his major title to date at the US Open - but, in November of the following year, he was involved in a bizarre car crash into a fire hydrant outside his Orlando home.
The incident sparked accusations of extramarital affairs which he subsequently admitted - which, in turn, led to the end of his seven-year marriage to Swedish model Elin Nordegren.
Woods unsurprisingly lost lucrative sponsors in the wake of the affair and then he also lost form as chronic back pain caused him to have four separate operations in four years.
In May 2017, he was arrested after officers found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home - but Woods insisted that alcohol was not a factor.
Toxicology reports confirmed he was telling the truth - and, instead, he claimed his disorientated condition was caused by an unexpected reaction to the medications he was taking.
Woods, in truth, was still a sorry sight - at 1,199 in the world after spinal fusion surgery, his career as professional golfer looked well and truly over.
But now, in almost fairytale fashion, he is back - and ready to help the United States to a rare Ryder Cup away win.
Of course, the Ryder Cup set-up is far more about a team performance as a whole, rather than the outstanding input of any individual, something which Europe's Rory McIlroy was at pains to point out on Wednesday.
Moreover, Woods has not even got that good a record in his previous seven appearances, with 13 wins, 17 losses and three halves.
Indeed, the weight of recent history hangs heavily over all of the Americans despite them heading into this contest as the holders.
Europe have won each of the last five matches at home, last losing at the Belfry back in 1993 - and, in fact, they have won eight of the past 11 contests overall.
However, that 17-11 defeat two years ago at the Hazeltine in Minnesota was the United States' biggest win since 1981 - and half of the same players are back again for the visitors.
Additionally, there are only three Ryder Cup rookies for the Americans, and two of them - Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau - were the selections of captain Jim Furyk.
By contrast, the European team features no fewer than five rookies, following on from six players in blue having made their debut just two years ago.
It was perhaps no surprise then that Europe captain Thomas Bjørn opted for experience in his four wildcard picks, though the Americans too have called upon Woods and 48-year-old Phil Mickelson.
Woods and Mickelson have 19 majors between them - but, even discounting them, the American players still otherwise have a combined total of 12 compared to eight from the whole of the European team.
Nevertheless, matters are rarely all that simple at the Ryder Cup. Woods and Mickelson, equally, have lost every away Ryder Cup they have played - four and five tournaments respectively.
Meanwhile, in four-time major winner McIlroy and recent world number one Justin Rose, Europe undoubtedly possess a lot of talent of their own.
But, rather, it is the depth of the European team which provides the concern.
At least the European players have had more experience of playing at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines just outside of Paris.
This is the first time in history that the Ryder Cup has been played in France but the venue has been a regular stop-off on the European tour since it opened 28 years ago.
"It's a definite advantage for us, I think," wildcard Paul Casey said today. "Our team certainly knows the course better than the Americans, and I think it suits my game very, very well.
"I drive the ball very well, and it's a ball striker's golf course. The fairway is not overly generous, and the rough is very penal."
Nevertheless, it would be a big shock if the Americans struggled to adapt to the conditions throughout the whole of the weekend.
On that basis then, it is absolutely vital that Europe get off to a good start in the morning session of fourballs which begin tomorrow at 07:10am BST.
Unsurprisingly, Rose and McIlroy feature in the top two matches with Rose paired alongside Spaniard Jon Rahm and McIlroy with Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen.
Additionally, there are only three Ryder Cup rookies for the Americans, and two of them - Bryson DeChambeau and Tony Finau - were the selections of captain Jim Furyk.
By contrast, the European team features no fewer than five rookies, following on from six players in blue having made their debut just two years ago.
It was perhaps no surprise then that Europe captain Thomas Bjørn opted for experience in his four wildcard picks, though the Americans too have called upon Woods and 48-year-old Phil Mickelson.
Woods and Mickelson have 19 majors between them - but, even discounting them, the American players still otherwise have a combined total of 12 compared to eight from the whole of the European team.
Nevertheless, matters are rarely all that simple at the Ryder Cup. Woods and Mickelson, equally, have lost every away Ryder Cup they have played - four and five tournaments respectively.
Meanwhile, in four-time major winner McIlroy and recent world number one Justin Rose, Europe undoubtedly possess a lot of talent of their own.
But, rather, it is the depth of the European team which provides the concern.
At least the European players have had more experience of playing at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines just outside of Paris.
This is the first time in history that the Ryder Cup has been played in France but the venue has been a regular stop-off on the European tour since it opened 28 years ago.
"It's a definite advantage for us, I think," wildcard Paul Casey said today. "Our team certainly knows the course better than the Americans, and I think it suits my game very, very well.
"I drive the ball very well, and it's a ball striker's golf course. The fairway is not overly generous, and the rough is very penal."
Nevertheless, it would be a big shock if the Americans struggled to adapt to the conditions throughout the whole of the weekend.
On that basis then, it is absolutely vital that Europe get off to a good start in the morning session of fourballs which begin tomorrow at 07:10am BST.
Unsurprisingly, Rose and McIlroy feature in the top two matches with Rose paired alongside Spaniard Jon Rahm and McIlroy with Denmark's Thorbjørn Olesen.
The pairs will face Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau, and Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler, respectively - before Jordan Spieth takes to the tee alongside debutant Justin Thomas.
Spieth and Thomas face Casey and Tyrrell Hatton ahead of Woods who will come up against Open champion Francesco Molinari.
The Italian will be joined by Tommy Fleetwood while Texan Patrick Reed has been paired with Woods.
On the afternoon, the captains will name four further pairs for a series of alternate shot (foursomes) matches, and that morning and afternoon sequence is repeated on Saturday for a total of 16 points on offer.
The final 12 matches are played on Sunday as Singles - and all 28 points are contested on a matchplay format which can allow for slow starts but which is unforgiving to nervy finishes amid the tension.
Simply put, the format ensures that there is no other golf tournament like the Ryder Cup for drama.
But, while Europe will surely make it a closer contest than last time, it is no surprise to see the United States begin this 42nd edition as slightly odds-on favourites.
TEAMS
| EUROPE | Age | WR | Majors | Ryder Cup record | Qualification | |
| Tommy Fleetwood | (ENG) | 27 | 12 | None | Rookie | 4th, European points list |
| Tyrrell Hatton | (ENG) | 26 | 26 | None | Rookie | 3rd, European points list |
| Rory McIlroy | (NIR) | 29 | 6 | 4 | P19 W9 H4 L6 | 4th, World points list |
| Francesco Molinari | (ITA) | 35 | 5 | 1 | P6 W0 H2 L4 | 1st, European points list |
| Alex Norén | (SWE) | 36 | 18 | None | Rookie | 7th, World points list |
| Thorbjørn Olesen | (DEN) | 28 | 45 | None | Rookie | 8th, World points list |
| Jon Rahm | (ESP) | 23 | 8 | None | Rookie | 3rd, World points list |
| Justin Rose | (ENG) | 38 | 2 | 1 | P19 W11 H2 L6 | 2nd, European points list |
| Paul Casey | (ENG) | 41 | 21 | None | P9 W3 H4 L2 | Wildcard selection |
| Sergio García | (ESP) | 38 | 28 | 1 | P37 W19 H7 L11 | Wildcard selection |
| Ian Poulter | (ENG) | 42 | 34 | None | P18 W12 H2 L4 | Wildcard selection |
| Henrik Stenson | (SWE) | 42 | 24 | 1 | P16 W7 H2 L7 | Wildcard selection |
| Thomas Bjørn | (DEN) | 47 | Non-playing captain |
| UNITED STATES | Age | WR | Majors | Ryder Cup record | Qualification | |
| Rickie Fowler | (CA) | 29 | 9 | None | P11 W2 H5 L4 | 7th in points list |
| Dustin Johnson | (SC) | 34 | 1 | 1 | P11 W6 H0 L5 | 2nd in points list |
| Brooks Koepka | (FL) | 28 | 3 | 3 | P4 W3 H0 L1 | 1st in points list |
| Patrick Reed | (TX) | 28 | 15 | 1 | P9 W6 H2 L1 | 4th in points list |
| Webb Simpson | (NC) | 33 | 16 | 1 | P6 W2 H1 L3 | 8th in points list |
| Jordan Spieth | (TX) | 25 | 10 | 3 | P9 W4 H2 L3 | 6th in points list |
| Justin Thomas | (KY) | 25 | 4 | 1 | Rookie | 3rd in points list |
| Bubba Watson | (FL) | 39 | 14 | 2 | P11 W3 H0 L8 | 5th in points list |
| Bryson DeChambeau | (CA) | 25 | 7 | None | Rookie | Wildcard selection |
| Phil Mickelson | (CA) | 48 | 25 | 5 | P45 W18 H7 L20 | Wildcard selection |
| Tiger Woods | (CA) | 42 | 13 | 14 | P33 W13 H3 L17 | Wildcard selection |
| Tony Finau | (UT) | 29 | 17 | None | Rookie | Wildcard selection |
| Jim Furyk | (PA) | 48 | Non-playing captain |
COURSE
Le Golf National, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France (Par 71, 7331 yards)
| Hole | Yards | Par | Hole | Yards | Par | ||
| 1 | 416 | 4 | 10 | 383 | 4 | ||
| 2 | 213 | 3 | 11 | 191 | 3 | ||
| 3 | 563 | 5 | 12 | 443 | 4 | ||
| 4 | 487 | 4 | 13 | 427 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 405 | 4 | 14 | 607 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 383 | 4 | 15 | 399 | 4 | ||
| 7 | 481 | 4 | 16 | 175 | 3 | ||
| 8 | 208 | 3 | 17 | 484 | 4 | ||
| 9 | 596 | 5 | 18 | 470 | 4 | ||
| OUT | 3752 | 36 | IN | 3579 | 35 |
RECENT HISTORY
| Year | Course | Holder | |||
| 1979 | The Greenbrier, VA | Europe | 11-17 | United States | United States |
| 1981 | Walton Heath, England | Europe | 9½-18½ | United States | United States |
| 1983 | Palm Beach, FL | Europe | 13½-14½ | United States | United States |
| 1985 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 16½-11½ | United States | Europe |
| 1987 | Muirfield Village, OH | Europe | 15-13 | United States | Europe |
| 1989 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 14-14 | United States | Europe |
| 1991 | Kiawah Island, SC | Europe | 13½-14½ | United States | United States |
| 1993 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 13-15 | United States | United States |
| 1995 | Oak Hill, NY | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 1997 | Valderrama, Spain | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 1999 | Brookline, MA | Europe | 13½-14½ | United States | United States |
| 2002 | The Belfry, England | Europe | 15½-12½ | United States | Europe |
| 2004 | Oakland Hills, MI | Europe | 18½-9½ | United States | Europe |
| 2006 | K Club, Ireland | Europe | 18½-9½ | United States | Europe |
| 2008 | Valhalla, KY | Europe | 11½-16½ | United States | United States |
| 2010 | Celtic Manor, Wales | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 2012 | Medinah, IL | Europe | 14½-13½ | United States | Europe |
| 2014 | Gleneagles, Scotland | Europe | 16½-11½ | United States | Europe |
| 2016 | Hazeltine, MN | Europe | 11-17 | United States | United States |
| MATCHES SINCE 1979 | Europe | 10-8 | United States | (1 Tie) |
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