United States captain Corey Pavin has warned world number one Tiger Woods that he is not guaranteed automatic selection for the Ryder Cup clash at Celtic Manor, starting on October 1.

The USA regained the trophy at Valhalla, Kentucky, two years ago with a convincing 16.5-11.5 victory but are 11/8 to repeat the feat in Wales, with Europe favourites at 8/11 and the tie on offer at 9/1.

Woods was sidelined for the Americans in that win, which ended a run of three consecutive losses, as he was recovering from knee surgery at the time and has in fact only been on the winning side once – in 1999 at Brookline.

The 34-year-old has amassed 14 major titles but has struggled in the past in Ryder Cup competition with 10 wins, 13 losses and two halves from his five appearances.

Woods has also failed to recapture his best form since taking a five-month break following a sex scandal, making his return at the Masters, for which he finished fourth.

However, he currently lies 11th in the points race to qualify as one of the eight automatic selections, with Pavin, who selects four others, offering no assurances that he will be in the team.

“I’m not going to treat Tiger any different – he’s certainly not going to be an automatic pick,” said Pavin.
“I’d love to have him on the team but I want him to be playing well.”

He has played in only three tournaments since his comeback, missing one cut while pulling out of the final round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass with a neck problem.

Woods has said he will play in the US Open which gets underway on June 17, and he is the current 6/1 favourite in the outright market, ahead of Phil Mickelson at 13/2.