Woods' father mad over lack of invitation

Web posted September 22, 1997

Associated Press

LONDON -- Tiger Woods' father reportedly is angry at not being invited to the Ryder Cup and will skip the tournament in protest.

``I've trained him to play with me there or not,'' Earl Woods is quoted in The Mail on Sunday. He blames the Professional Golfers' Association of America for the snub.

``This is my protest at the way they treat the parents,'' he said. ``It makes no sense and it's not justified. Tiger is only 21 and does not have a girlfriend, but they don't think enough of the parents to invite them instead.''

Woods, winner of the Masters and one of 12 players on the American team, will be the most-watched golfer in the three-day showdown between the United States and Europe. The biennial event begins Friday in Spain.

``I can unequivocally state that I'm more responsible for Tiger being where he is today and have a bigger contribution to the team than all the wives and girlfriends combined,'' the elder Woods said by phone from California.

``I could go and stand with 25,000 spectators while the wives and girlfriends are inside the ropes, but I would not be part of the official party. I could not go to the dinners and other functions. I would be an outsider.

``Why should I go all that way to be treated like dirt? The more I thought about it I realized I had to make a protest to get the policy changed.

``I didn't discuss the issue with Tiger because I don't want to interfere with his performance. I'll be with him in spirit.''