Birdie charge boosts Tiger's Ryder case

Tiger Woods appeared to end the uncertainty over his participation in next month's Ryder Cup with a storming finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday.

If US captain Corey Pavin had any lingering doubts about making Woods one of his four wildcard picks on Tuesday, they are likely to have been dispelled after the world No 1 birdied three of the last four holes for a closing 68 at the TPC Boston.

That helped the 14-time major winner climb to joint 11th on 10-under 274, 12 strokes behind winner Charley Hoffman.

Woods also retained his No 1 ranking for the 274th successive week. Phil Mickelson had a chance to take top spot by finishing third or better here but he had a back nine meltdown, slumping to a 76 for 277.

"I missed the last one because I was injured and it would be nice to be on the team," Woods told reporters. "I enjoy playing in the Ryder Cup and going out there against those guys with my teammates."

The US holders take on Europe at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales from Oct 1-3.

"On the road ... you get booed a lot, you get jeered and people say things they shouldn't say," added Woods.

"It comes from both sides. They (the Americans) did it with Monty (Colin Montgomerie), so it goes both ways, and I've had that experience and understand how to deal with it and make it a positive thing."

Woods failed to qualify in the eight automatic places for the 12-man Ryder Cup team due to poor form and infrequent appearances earlier this year.

Source: China Daily/Agencies