Fred Couples has voiced his opinion on Tiger Woods playing in the Ryder cup saying that he does not think the world’s number one will turn his back on the US.

Couples wants to pick Tiger Woods for the 2011 Presidents Cup against Greg Norman’s international team. And alluding to Woods' infidelity, he told Radio 5 live: "He made a mistake - we'll see how he overcomes it."

Asked if Woods would make Corey Pavin's Ryder Cup team in October he said: "I think so. I believe he's ready and all the other team-mates want him there."

Tiger has not played any tournaments since November when he admitted to extra-marital affairs. However he has since announced his comeback for the Augusta Masters. "I'm playing with him at Augusta," Couples said. "I hope to see him a lot and play some practice rounds. I always play with him at Augusta it's not like I'm trying to get around him.

"He's the best player in the world, he's won the thing a bunch of times, he knows how to play the course and even at my age I still learn some of the nuances about Augusta."

Couples led the US to a 19½-14½ win over the world's best without Europe at Harding Park in San Francisco in 2009 and has backed Woods to be key to winning in Melbourne next year.

He will definitely be on my team," he said. "We've talked a few times, he's my main man. I would want him to play as much as he can or as much he wants. I'm a friend of his I'm not his counsellor."