Stricker wants Tiger to be assistant captain at Ryder Cup

With it appearing unlikely Tiger Woods will be able to play in September's Ryder Cup, United States captain Steve Stricker is hoping the 15-time major winner will still be a part of the team as his assistant.

"I've talked to him. I don't know if we are there yet to commit to him being there," Stricker said Wednesday at Kiawah Island, according to ASAP Sports. "He's still got a lot going on and his spirits of great, though, as of late and (we were) on a Zoom call with him just this last week and he seems like he's in a better place."

Stricker added: "I'd love to have him there. Who wouldn't, right? The guys really respect him and he did a great job obviously as a captain but he was an assistant captain of mine in 2017 of the Presidents Cup and he was unbelievable."

Woods is still recovering from multiple fractures in his right leg after being involved in a single-vehicle accident at the end of February.

Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Thomas have visited Tiger and all said the 45-year-old was doing better than they expected.

Stricker has already named Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk, and Davis Love III as assistants for the Ryder Cup, which will take place at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from Sept. 24-26.