Stricker: Tiger 'doing well' with rehabilitation, aiming to return to golf

Steve Stricker, who is serving as the 2021 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, says Tiger Woods' rehabilitation is trending positively after recently speaking to the legendary golfer.

"I've talked to Tiger a lot," Stricker said Wednesday on SiriusXM Radio, according to ESPN's Bob Harig. "He's a part of this Ryder Cup family; he won't be able to be a captain's assistant this time around just because of his ongoing rehabilitation to try to get better and try to play golf again, and that is going well. He's progressing, he's doing well, things are moving in the right direction."

Woods is still recovering from significant injuries to his lower extremities following a serious car accident in February.

Stricker previously said Woods wouldn't be able to be at Whistling Straits to serve as vice-captain, and the role went to Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples.

Despite not being able to attend the tournament, Stricker added Woods has still been helping him prepare from afar.

"He's just not able to be there at this time. He's progressing nicely, but Whistling Straits is a tough place to get around. He's already been helping and will continue to," Stricker said last week, per Harig.

Woods led the U.S. to victory as playing captain at the 2019 Presidents Cup, going 3-0. The 15-time major champion also assisted Stricker at the 2017 Presidents Cup and assisted Davis Love III at the 2016 Ryder Cup, which both resulted in victories for the United States. Woods last appeared in the Ryder Cup in 2018, going 0-4 in a loss to Europe.