There will be an extra perk for the 12 golfers who make the U.S. Ryder Cup team _ the eight who will qualify on points after The Barclays on Sunday night and the four who will be chosen by captain Davis Love III.
They will get to spend a week with someone they haven't seen in a while, Tiger Woods.
Woods, who won the first U.S. Open at Bethpage Black in 2002 and been in both subsequent tournaments on the course, has missed the entire season while recovering from back surgery. But he will be an assistant captain for the American team that will face Europe at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.
"I think it's going to be great," said Jim Furyk, who also is an assistant captain and has become a candidate to play on the squad. "He has been really excited, really interested, really involved with Davis. He has brought a lot of ideas to the table. I think right now it's kind of all hands on deck
"We have four assistants right now with Steve Stricker, myself, Tiger and Tom Lehman all trying to help in the decision making," Furyk said. "Tiger is really excited about being there. Probably the best player who ever played _ we definitely want him on our side."
