Woods gives text message support to U.S. Cup team

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Reuters) - World number one Tiger Woods, a frustrated absentee from this week's Ryder Cup, has been busily sending the U.S. team messages of support.

"The greatest player in the world is sitting at home watching and text messaging me and everybody else he can find," U.S. captain Paul Azinger told reporters after Saturday's fourball matches at Valhalla Golf Club.

"He texted me 10 times yesterday, at least. He likes to heckle. I kind of told him he needed to step up his heckling skills a little bit and he brought it today.

"I didn't know he could take it to such a high level, so I give him credit. He has been great."

The U.S. will go into Sunday's last-day singles matches at Valhalla leading Europe 9-7 and needing a further 5- points to lift the trophy for the first time since Brookline in 1999.

Woods, who has competed in the last five Ryder Cups, is recuperating in his Florida home after having reconstructive knee surgery in June.

He is missing the biennial team competition for the first time since he made his debut at Valderrama in 1997.

The 14-times major champion has been sidelined since winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines after a 19-hole playoff with compatriot Rocco Mediate.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)