They Wood get in

> Woods, DeChambeau, Mickelson expected to get Ryder Cup nods

TIGER WOODS, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson are expected to be named on the United States Ryder Cup team when Jim Furyk announces three of his captain’s picks today.

Furyk will reveal his selections in Philadelphia but there is little if any suspense, with the players picking themselves for the team to face Europe in France this month.

It is inconceivable that 14times major champion Woods could be left out after the form he has displayed in his comeback this year from a potentially career-ending back injury.

Woods contended in the final two majors and while not winning either, showed he is still a player for the big occasion at the age of 42.

Despite that, Woods has a less than stellar record of 13-17-3 in seven Ryder Cup appearances. He approached the event with all the enthusiasm of a trip to the dentist in his younger days but has warmed to the team format in recent years.

He is already an assistant captain on Furyk’s team and would need to be replaced in

that position if confirmed.

DeChambeau has also made himself virtually impossible to overlook after back-toback wins at the FedExCup playoffs.

Furthermore, DeChambeau and Woods have struck up a rapport that suggests they would be good partners in Paris.

Mickelson has played a record 11 consecutive Ryder Cups and qualified automatically every time. It is probably not too much to expect one captain’s pick in the twilight of his career.

“Hopefully it will make it ... easy for (Furyk) to take me,” Mickelson said yesterday after shooting 63 to tie for 12th at the Dell.

“I’d love to go over there and give it a shot to win for the first time on European soil for quite some time.”

Mickelson has never been on a winning team in his five Cup appearances in Europe. The US last won away from home in 1993. – Reuters