Woods on Watson: 'A really good choice'

• By Jason Sobel
• Dec 13, 2012 9:00 AM ET

Tom Watson has been critical of Tiger Woods’ behavior both on and off the course in recent years, but any potential bad blood between the newest Ryder Cup captain and a player likely to be on his team was quashed early after Thursday’s announcement.

“I'd like to congratulate Tom Watson on his selection as Ryder Cup captain,” Woods said. “I think he's a really good choice. Tom knows what it takes to win, and that's our ultimate goal. I hope I have the privilege of joining him on the 2014 United States Team.”

Watson has made some pointed comments about Woods both in terms of his personal scandal that unraveled in late-2009 and his on-course demeanor.

In early-2010, Watson said, “I feel that he has not carried the same stature that other great players that have come along like Jack (Nicklaus), Arnold (Palmer), Byron Nelson, the Hogans, in the sense that there was language and club throwing on the golf course. You can grant that of a young person that has not been out here for a while. But I think he needs to clean up his act and show the respect for the game that other people before him have shown.”

In response, Woods simply stated, “I'm trying to become a better player and a better person.”