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Flying Woosnam plays down Ryder Cup talk

28/07/2006

Ian Woosnam rolled back the years to set an early midway lead in the Deutsche Bank Players Championship but then promptly denied suggestions he could hand himself a playing role in the forthcoming Ryder Cup.

The Welsh veteran, one of the day's earlier starters, carded a fine round of 66 in Gut Kaden which added to yesterday's 65 and takes him to 13-under-par overall.

Woosnam, 48, admitted he felt some of his golf was the best he'd played for ten years but despite his return to form he told reporters he would not include himself as a player when he leads his European Ryder Cup team out against the US at the K Club in September

"I don't think so," he responded to questions about a possible playing role. "I made the decision, and I don't think two rounds is going to change my mind.

"I will stick to what I'm going to do being a captain, and even if I happen to win the three next tournaments or four tournaments in a row, I will still be the captain. All I want to do is play well tomorrow."

Woosnam would become the oldest player to win an event on the European Tour if he triumphs in Germany this weekend, an achievement that would be all the more remarkable considering he has endured back problems which have nearly ended his career.

A new therapy has helped him overcome his injuries, however, and he explained that this course appears to be getting him back to full fitness.

"It's called TNF. It's an injection – it was developed for rheumatic arthritis," he said. "I've had greater success with it.

"Six weeks ago Michael King, player on Seniors Tour, recommended the cure. It's a once-a-week injection, and I've seen the benefits from it now already."

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