Pavin buoyed by Woods return

American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin is unconcerned by Tiger Woods’ inactivity this year after the world number one returned from his self-imposed exile with a top 10 finish at the Masters last week.

Woods finished tied for fourth at Augusta after five months out following the 14-time majors winner’s well-documented problems away from the course.

The 34-year-old has yet to indicate when he will next play after revealing he plans to take another break from golf, although Woods is set to feature at the US Open in June after the United States Golf Association confirmed they had received his entry.

“I was obviously glad to see him play again, but other things are way more important in his life,” said two-time Ryder Cup winner Pavin.

“He thought it was the right time to play again and I was delighted to see him play again and play well and he moved into the top eight on our points list which is a good thing as far as I am concerned.”

Woods’ performance at Augusta moved him up to seventh and into an automatic qualification place on the USA Ryder Cup points table which is currently topped by Masters champion Phil Mickelson and Shell Houston Open winner Anthony Kim, who finished third at Augusta.

“I don’t know what Tiger’s schedule is, I don’t know when he is going to play again. I don’t think he knows, so that’s all I know,” added 50-year-old Pavin.

“I hope he plays some more and continues to play well and makes the team, but I will just have to wait and see what his schedule is.

“He has other things that he is focusing on as well and I don’t think he knows what his schedule will be, so it depends on how things go in his private life and I respect him for what he is going to do and I will have to just wait and see.”

Pavin is set to tee off alongside Europe captain Colin Montgomerie at this week’s Volvo China Open with the pair playing in the same group for the first two rounds alongside Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee.

“It’s super Tiger Woods has come back, it’s great for golf,” said Montgomerie. “It’s great to see him back and contending in the way he wished he would so lets hope he comes back full-time as soon as possible.”