Tiger Woods was named one of three additional assistant captains for next year’s United States Ryder Cup team on Wednesday. Golf enthusiasts -- including Rory McIlroy -- are trying to figure out why.

The designation doesn’t mean Woods will be considered for the playing roster, but he’ll be present nonetheless.

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“This is something I want to do," Woods said in a statement, per his official website. "I will continue to do whatever I can to help win the Cup back. Once I'm fully healthy, I'd like to try to make the team too.

“But either way, I'm very excited to work with Davis, the other vice captains and the players to get a U.S. victory."

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Taken aback by the announcement, McIlroy -- who’s currently participating in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai -- said, per Daily Record: “I don’t know what to think about that.”

Neither do we, McIlroy. Neither does anyone else.

Mind you, Woods hasn’t featured for the United States at the Ryder Cup since 2012, won a single event since 2013 and dropped all the way to 321st in the official World Golf Ranking. Outside of name recognition and attention, Woods will provided the Ryder Cup nothing else.

Even if they refuse to admit it, the golf world and McIlroy are aware of it.

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