Woods open to Ryder Cup vice-captain role - Love

Tiger Woods has expressed a willingness to serve as a vice-captain at next year's Ryder Cup if he fails to make the United States team.

Fourteen-time major champion Woods, who has finished on the winning side in only one of his seven appearances at the biennial event, will not play again this year after undergoing back surgery for a second time earlier this month.

USA captain Davis Love III remains optimistic of having the former world number one available to him as a player at Hazeltine.

However, Woods is among several experienced Americans who have stated their desire to be involved regardless of whether they secure a place in Love's 12-man team.

Love told Sky Sports News: "Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, they have all said 'we will do whatever it takes to help you', and we have them on the list.

"They are obviously guys that could be future captains, guys that we want around the team. We are hoping that all four of them are playing - we need their veteran leadership - but, if not, they have said 'look, I will do whatever it takes'.

"Past captains have said the same thing, so we have a family now of willing participants, whether they are going to play or be assistant captains."

Woods has been frequently hampered by injuries since claiming the last of his major crowns in 2008.

"I think Tiger, if he is healthy for the whole year, will be fine," added Love.

"If he is in and out, does not get to play a whole lot of tournaments, it will be tough for him to make the team.

"He was showing signs before the last surgery that he was playing well and he desperately wants to make the team, he does not want to be an assistant captain.

"He wants the uniform but he wants to play and he wants the bag."