Tiger Woods, still recuperating from knee surgery, will follow the 37th Ryder Cup matches on television but won't attend the intercontinental contest at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky.
"I plan to watch the Ryder Cup this week, but I will not attend," Woods said in his website newsletter on Tuesday.
"US captain Paul Azinger has my cell phone number and he or any US player can call me any time.
"If I can offer any assistance, I'm happy to help. I doubt I can do much, since I can't play practice rounds and am not privy to their team chemistry," Woods added.
Azinger, whose inexperienced squad includes six rookies, had indicated he planned to have a telephone "hotline" open to Woods, although the world No.1 said he thought he might be of limited use.
"I also don't know who is playing well, who is injured, and have no feel for how the course is playing," he said. "But I'll be happy to offer my opinion. I wish the American team well and hope they can bring back the Cup."
Woods underwent knee surgery that ended his 2008 season shortly after winning the US Open in June.
He limped to victory at Torrey Pines in a playoff over Rocco Mediate for his 14th major title.
"My rehabilitation is going well," Woods said. "Although I won't be able to swing a club until early next year, my left knee is getting stronger and the doctors are pleased with my progress. I just can't rotate on my leg and I still don't know what my first event will be in 2009.
"If I tried to play now, you would see some of the worst shots you've ever seen."
Woods, who announced earlier this month that he and his wife, Elin, are expecting their second child, said he had been spending time on his golf course design projects and at the launch of his new video game in New York.
He didn't get to see his buddy Roger Federer play in the US Open while in New York, but did see Olympic swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps and his pal Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees.
Copyright 2008  AFP Global Edition
