HONOLULU - Depending on the future of Tiger Woods, world's No1 player, above, one of his streaks is on the line this year.

HONOLULU - Depending on the future of Tiger Woods, world's No1 player, above, one of his streaks is on the line this year.

Dating to 1999, Woods has led the points table for every Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team.

Woods is out of action indefinitely as he copes with the fallout of his infidelity. Where does that leave the Ryder Cup?

"There isn't much to think about right now," US captain Corey Pavin said this week. "It's a matter of when and if he comes back. As a captain, I'll just watch what he does."

Woods finished last year at No3 in the standings. But under a new system installed by past captain Paul Azinger, the current year is all that matters.

The only points last year were awarded at majors. In a Ryder Cup year, one point is awarded for every dollar earned on the US PGA Tour, with double points at the majors.

The movement is so volatile that Woods could be out of the top eight who automatically qualify by the tour's Florida swing in March. If he doesn't play, he doesn't earn points.

And Pavin is allowed four captain's picks. Does he leave out the best player in world player?

"A lot of it depends on his level of play," Pavin said. "I'm going to treat Tiger like any other player. If he's playing poorly, or he's not playing at all or comes back late, I'd have to think about it."

The Ryder Cup will be from October 1 to 3 in Wales, and that's still an entire season away.

Qualifying ends on August 15 and Pavin doesn't have to announce his four picks until September 7.

Woods hasn't even started his "indefinite break" - he usually doesn't start his season until the end of January. - Sapa-AP