USA captain says that history has shown that those who write Tiger Woods off tend to suffer a backlash

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US Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin has claimed that European golfer Rory McIlroy may live to regret his comments writing off Tiger Woods ahead of this weekend’s competition.

McIlroy said earlier in the week that he believed that Tiger’s well documented personal problems had caused him to lose his invincible aura and Pavin believes that the claims will simply spur on the world’s best golfer, as it has done in the past when people have doubted his ability.

"I think other people have said things like that to Tiger in the past and have maybe regretted it," said Pavin.

"I know Tiger is aware of the comment. If they do play against each other I think it would be quite entertaining."

Stephen Ames famously once claimed that he fancied his chances of beating Woods in the World Matchplay Championship in 2006, as he felt that the world number one wasn’t hitting the ball well.

Tiger won the tie on the 10th hole and when asked if he had been motivated by the comments, simply replied "9 and 8!”

Speaking on the possibility of Woods having the chance to exact revenge on McIlroy, Pavin added:

"I don't know if [McIlroy and Woods] will play against each other, we'll just have to see where the cards fall, but I think it would be fun for me to watch. I'd enjoy it. I don't know about you guys."