Restless Tiger spurs on US team by text

The World No 1 Tiger Woods, a frustrated absentee from this week's Ryder Cup, has been busily sending the US 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," the US captain Paul Azinger said 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."

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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 out of action since winning the US Open at Torrey Pines after a 19-hole play-off with compatriot Rocco Mediate.

There was controversy on Saturday but Jose Maria Olazabal was perfectly within his rights to intervene as he did as the second day built to its dramatic climax. Europe's assistant captain was involved in the concession of a putt to American Hunter Mahan so that he could not show the line to his partner Phil Mickelson on the 16th green of their tie with Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson. On television coverage there was speculation that Olazabal had stepped outside the rules by giving advice. But John Paramor, the European Tour's Chief Referee, was in charge of the game and said there was no breach.