Pavin thanks Montgomerie for suggestion over Woods's selection

"That's a very difficult, dangerous and undiplomatic question – but of course I'd pick him, yes," said European captain Montgomerie yesterday when the pair held a joint press conference before the start of the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.

"Let me make a note of that," responded USA captain Pavin, who earlier in the day had used his Twitter page to deny that he had said the world No 1 was a certain wild card pick if he does not qualify automatically on Sunday. "Thanks for the help. Appreciate it. He's very helpful that way, Colin is."

Woods, 10th in a table from which only the leading eight will earn spots, finished joint 78th out of 80 at last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last weekend.

But on Tuesday he stated unequivocally that he wanted to be on the team even if he fails to earn his spot.

Pavin is to wait until September 7 to reveal his selections, and asked why he was not prepared to name Woods now the former

US Open champion said: "It would be disrespectful to everybody that's trying to make the team.

"I've got quite a few people I'm looking at. I would not disrespect any of the players that are potential players on the team.

"There's nobody that's promised any picks right now."

As for the "of course I'm going to" comment that was reported he added: "Obviously there was a misinterpretation of what I said – that is an incorrect quote."

Montgomerie is, of course, well aware that the Americans won without Woods two years ago – he was recovering from knee surgery then – and that he has been on only one victorious side since his 1997 debut.

Woods has looked a shadow of his former self since the sex scandal that became public knowledge in November.

But Montgomerie said: "Of course there's a huge aura regarding Tiger Woods still.

"It's the one name that all our team will be looking for if they are going to play against him in any form of the Ryder Cup.

"It's the first name that would spring to mind for any of my team – and something that my team will relish, the opportunity of playing against what we all believe is the best player of our generation."

Rory McIlroy had no trouble yesterday naming the quality he thinks could be the key to him becoming the third youngest winner of the US PGA title this week.

As torrential rain interrupted practice at Whistling Straits on the eve of the final major of the year the 21-year-old Northern Irishman stressed the importance of patience.

"Sometimes it's hard when you're trying to get somewhere so fast and you don't really want to slow down," said McIlroy.

"But you've got to be really patient in this game and I realise that. Sometimes it is hard for me to accept that you're not going to have a good day all the time. I think that's something that I'm still learning how to do. But that all just comes through experience and I feel as if I'm getting better at it."

Malton's Simon Dyson will be among the last players to get his US PGA tilt underway, teeing off at 8.15pm BST from the first tee at Whistling Straits.