GOLF:TIGER Woods said yesterday that he would play in the USPGA Tours Frys.com Open in October to justify his early selection by United States captain Fred Couples for the Presidents Cup.

Last week, Couples said Woods would be one of his two wildcard picks for the November 17th-20th team competition in Australia, though he had urged the rusty former world number one to compete in at least one more event before then.

Woods, who had no chance of gaining automatic Cup selection after struggling for form and fitness this season, had previously said his next tournament would be the November 10th-13th Australian Open.

I always enjoy competing in my home state (California), and this tournament fits my schedule perfectly, Woods said on his website. Im looking forward to seeing some old friends.

Its been a long time between the PGA (Championship) and Frys, and Ill be anxious to compete.

The Frys.com Open will be held from October 6th-9th at CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, California.

It will be Woodss first appearance on the USPGA Tour since the August 11th-14th USPGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club where he missed the cut and failed to qualify for the circuits elite FedExCup play-offs.

Woods, a 14-time major champion, has been a shadow of his former dominant self since the end of 2009 while trying to rebuild his golf swing and private life following the break up of his marriage.

His world ranking has slipped to 38th and he has not won a tournament since the 2009 Australian Masters.