Pavin sees strong return by world's No.1 player

LONDON – American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin predicted Friday that Tiger Woods would be as strong a player as ever when he comes back from his marital turmoil and break from golf.

Woods is on the brink of divorce after admitting that he cheated on his wife and says he has decided to take an indefinite break from the game to try and save his marriage.

“Tiger’s obviously a very strong-minded individual and I don’t think he will play any differently when he comes back,” Pavin said on a visit to London. “He’s come back from injuries and setbacks and done fine.”

Pavin, who became the first non-European to receive the British Professional Golfers’ Association annual recognition award for services to golf, will lead a US team defending the title at Celtic Manor in Wales Oct. 1-3 next year.

He did not elaborate on whether Woods, who missed the American triumph at Valhalla last year because of his knee problems, would return to the team.

“To not have the best player in the world weakens the team,” he said. “That does not mean we can’t win without him because obviously we did last time, but you always want the best player in the world.”

Pavin said Woods first had to resolve his marital problems.

“My main concern is for his family. My view of him as a golfer is not going to change at all and my view of him as a human being is not going to change either,” Pavin said. “Everybody makes mistakes. I’m not going to sit here in judgment.  (AP)