Europe captain Darren Clarke hopes Tiger Woods' presence within the United States team at next year's Ryder Cup will not provide too much of a boost to Davis Love III's side.
Woods was named one of four vice captains for Octoboer 2016's competition last week. Also named were Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker. Tom Lehman was added to Love's cadre earlier.
MORE: Tiger Woods, superstar | Looking back: 2014 Ryder Cup
Woods is recovering from back surgeries and hopes to be a playing assistant for the competition. The next biennial competition will be at Hazeltine National Golf Club near Minneapolis.
"With Tiger, and knowing him as well as I do, he will be massive for the team and he will be involved as he's shown us by accepting Davis' invitation," Clarke said at the Australian Open. "He will also be trying desperately to be playing on the team. So certainly, Tiger's a great addition to Davis' side whether that be playing or behind the scenes as a vice captain."
MORE: PGA Tour winners of 2015-16 season
Clarke has yet to name vice captains and says he will wait as long as possible before making an announcement.
"To do so at this stage would mean offending people," he said. "If I ask someone now it means I don't think he is going to make the team. I don't want to do that. Maybe around Augusta I'll feel out a few people to see what they think. That's always been our way of doing things.
"The vice captains have always been guys who are still active on tour and who will hopefully have a chance to be captain in the future."