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Report: Tiger Woods Apologized to Ryder Cup Rookies After Contributing to U.S. Team’s Loss

The U.S. team pulled a (post-November, 2009) Tiger Woods a couple of weeks ago, blowing a last-day lead in the Ryder Cup to the European team at the home-course Medinah Country Club.

The U.S., which led 10-6 going into the final day, ended up losing 14 1/2-13 1/2 as Woods and his teammates wilted down the stretch.

The defeat was all too familiar for Woods, who has lost much of the domination and ability to win with the lead that had marked his pro career (even if he hasn't always been sparkling at the Ryder Cup).

But now it sounds like another part of the new Tiger Woods was on display to the U.S. team, with a report surfacing Monday that Woods apologized for the loss and took blame in front of his teammates.

After the U.S. lost, Woods spoke to the team's rookies and said he was sorry for not doing his part in earning the necessary points, according to Tim Rosaforte, a contributor on the Golf Channel.

Woods apologized to Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson and Jason Dufner after going 0-3 in team play with partner Steve Stricker and then halving in the final singles match against Francesco Molinari, when the Europeans had already won.

"[Woods] personally apologized to everyone for not doing more, for not getting the points he needed to get a U.S. victory," Rosaforte said. "For people who don't think Woods really cares, whenever that turn or that pivot occurred in his career, it has fully turned."

In the days following Woods' public embarrassment in 2009 during allegations of infidelity and deceit, many people accused Woods of lacking humility as he dominated his sport. Some wondered whether the scandal would change the way Woods approached the game and his fellow players.

No one can know if Woods has really changed, but his words do at least seem to show that he's making efforts to be more of a team player. Or at least own up to a very bad weekend on the course.

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