His Open championship at Royal Liverpool may have ended in disappointment, but Tiger Woods remains confident he will return to Britain in September as part of the United States Ryder Cup team.
Woods was 72nd in the qualification table for the US team and only a quick return to winning ways would help the 14-time major winner qualify automatically for Tom Watson’s team.
Watson has stressed Woods’ place at Gleneagles is far from certain, but Woods believes he can rise to the challenge.
Asked if he was in Watson’s position would he give himself a captain’s pick, he replied: “I would say yes. But that’s my position, my take on it. He’s the captain and obviously it’s his decision.
“He’s going to field the best 12 players he thinks will win the cup back and I hope I’m on the team.
“I got picked by Corey Pavin back when we played in Wales. I was coming off an Achilles injury as well and I sat out for most of the summer.
“And I felt like I was able to contribute to the team. That’s all you want as a pick, you want someone who can contribute to the team, whether it’s in support or it’s in play. I did it then and hopefully I can actually earn my way on to this team.”
Woods followed his opening rounds of 69, 77 and 73 with a three-over 75 as his struggles around Royal Liverpool continued.
An error-strewn closing round included three birdies, four bogeys and a double at the seventh.
But the former world number one, who has barely played since back surgery in March, was able to take some positives from his week at Royal Liverpool.
He added: “I got four rounds in. Unfortunately I didn’t play very well today. It was a little different than it was on the first day, obviously.”