Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are not guarantees to play in this year’s Ryder Cup, according to United States captain Tom Watson.
Woods finished six-over-par for the Open championship as he continued his comeback from injury following back surgery in March, while Mickelson’s indifferent form continued with the American never looking likely to defend his Open title.
Asked if he would pick Woods or Mickelson as wildcards for his 12-man team for Gleneagles on their present form, Watson replied: “It’s not got to that point yet. Ask me that question on September 1 or 2 when I make the three picks.
“If Phil and Tiger don’t make it in the mix there, I’ve got some real thinking to do. Everybody is thinking I’m going to pick them automatically. I can assure you I’m not going to pick them automatically.
“I said about Tiger that I’ll pick him if he’s playing well and he’s in good health. And Phil is the same way. If he’s playing well, again, how can you not pick those two?
“It looks like Tiger is playing without pain but again he is not in the mix.
“He needed to get in the mix to get some points and money to get in the FedExCup. That’s what I was hoping he was going to do this week.”
Watson, meanwhile, received a terrific reception at Royal Liverpool as he signed off in style with a four-under 68.
The 64-year-old, a five-time Open champion, broke his own record for the oldest player to make the cut and went on to finish one-over for the tournament after rounds of 73, 73, 75 and 68.
He said: “That was a good day. I enjoyed that. It would have been nice to shoot a 67 and end even par but I played a really solid round of golf today.”