Tiger KO relief for Watson

Former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart believes US captain Tom Watson will be relieved that Tiger Woods has ruled himself out of next month’s contest at Gleneagles.

Woods failed to qualify for the team automatically and informed the PGA of America and Watson that, after playing just 11 full tournament rounds on his return to action following back surgery, he did not wish to be considered for one of the three wild card places.

“I don’t think necessarily it’s going to be a bad thing for the US team,” said Coltart, who lost to Woods in the singles at Brookline in 1999, the only time the 14-time major winner has been on a winning team.