European captain Paul McGinley has echoed the sentiments of USA counterpart Tom Watson in hoping that Tiger Woods will be fit for the Ryder Cup.
World No 1 Woods will not compete in next week's Masters after undergoing surgery on a back injury, which will keep him out of action for "several weeks" for rest and rehabilitation.
McGinley will be at Augusta as a television pundit and he admits he would like to see Woods line-up for America at Gleneagles in September, even if it means his opponents are stronger as a result.
"Tiger's good for golf, so the sooner he gets back playing, the better," said McGinley.
"Of course I'd like him to play at Gleneagles, and it will be a better Ryder Cup with him there. Tiger's one of the world's greatest players and the Ryder Cup is golf's greatest event.
"Right now, I can only wish him the best of luck. Having had eight surgeries myself, I understand what he must be going through, though the back obviously is a more complex area than the knee."
At present, Woods is lying well down in 44th position on the USA Team points table having slipped a further three spots after not contesting last week's Valero Texas Open.
However, if Woods does not qualify automatically, and he is fit, he is almost assured of being afforded one of Watson's three 'wildcard' picks.
"I just hope he's healthy enough to be able to play," said the American captain.
The Ryder Cup takes place on the weekend of September 26th-28th in Scotland, where Europe will be aiming for a third straight victory in the event.