TIGER Woods, the most successful golfer of the modern era insists he is "delighted," to be heading to Newport for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

Woods, still the world number one despite some hugely publicised troubles off the course in the past 12 months, has earned a wildcard selection for the huge showpiece event, set for Newport on October 1-3.

Woods joins Stewart Cink, Zach Johnson and rookie Rickie Fowler in Corey Pavin’s side, ready to battle Colin Montgomerie’s Europe.

The American side includes seven members of the world’s top 20 players, with eight Europeans in the same group and four members of each side in the world’s top ten.

However, it was the presence of the man who almost transcends the sport that was most contentious ahead of yesterday’s US team announcement and Woods confirmed his delight at receiving the captains call, also rubbishing suggestions that he doesn’t care for the team event.

"It's great to be part of this team,’’ said Woods, who has just gone six events without a top 10 finish for the first time in his career.

"I'm honoured to be selected. I've been to Wales previously (for the 1995 Walker Cup, which he also lost) and I'm looking forward to going back, having a great time with the team and hopefully bringing the cup back.’’ Asked about a perception of him not caring too much about the competition - he said in 2002 he would rather win a million dollars than the cup - Woods hit back.

"I've always loved playing the Ryder Cup and enjoy being part of the team. I don't know where this perception of indifference comes from because I have always loved it.

"They are experiences you will never forget and you create friendships.’’ As for his form, he added: "I think my game is not far away and that makes it a lot easier to go into a pressure-packed environment.’’ Woods is hoping to silence the Newport crowd by performing well for Team USA, even though he has a less than stellar Ryder Cup record. "The atmosphere is certainly different - it's definitely more charged.

"But it's great fun to play in front of fans that are that excited.

"You want to play well to make the crowd go quiet. That's the objective of every team.’’ US skipper Pavin insists he waited until the last minute before making a decision on Woods, who has been well shy of his best since taking a hiatus from golf after revelations about his private life led to the break down of his marriage.

On his thought process about Woods he added: "I just watched and waited.

"I was hoping he would qualify on points, but he didn't and so I waited to see how he played.’’ Woods has come 12th and 11th the last two weeks.

"He is one of 12 on the team and everyone is just as important. The objective is to have 12 players that make up Team USA and have one goal in mind.’’ The inclusion of Woods is a huge boost to the Celtic Manor and resort owner Sir Terry Matthews admitted as much this morning.

"Personally, I am delighted that Tiger Woods, the world’s No 1 golfer, has been selected to play. It was always our hope that the world’s very best golfers would come to Celtic Manor and there is no doubt that Tiger Woods has been the world’s standout player for the 10 years we have been planning for this Ryder Cup," he said.