We won't see Tiger Woods again until 2016 as he recovers from and rehabilitates after undergoing a second microdiscectomy surgery in September. With a year to the start of the '16 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, Woods faces a steep climb to earn enough points to make the U.S. team for the first time since 2012. If Woods is unable to return from his back surgery and play well, then it's unlikely American captain Davis Love III will select Woods to make the 12-player team.

If Woods doesn't make the team on points, or show good enough form to merit a captain's pick, then the 14-time major champion has volunteered to help out the team as a vice-captain.

"Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, they have all said 'We will do whatever it takes to help you,' and we have them on the list (of potential vice-captains)," Love told Sky Sports. "They are obviously guys that could be future captains, guys that we want around the team. We are hoping that all four of them are playing, we need their veteran leadership, but, if not, they have said 'Look, I will do whatever it takes.'"

Love believes Woods' place on the '16 American team depends wholly on Woods' health when he decides to return.

"I think Tiger, if he is healthy for the whole year, will be fine," Love said. "If he is in and out, does not get to play a whole lot of tournaments, it will be tough for him to make the team."

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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