US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate believes Tiger Woods' absence could inspire the American Ryder Cup team in Kentucky later this year.
Woods announced earlier this week he is to undergo surgery on his left knee which will rule him out of the rest of the PGA season and he will require further time off to rehabilitate.
The world number one made the decision to undergo a second surgery on his left knee just two days after he won his 14th major championship by defeating Mediate in a dramatic play-off at Torrey Pines.
Mediate admits he is saddened by Woods' absence from the tour but feels it could have a galvanising effect on the US team when they face Europe at the Valhalla Club in September.
He told BBC's Sportsweek programme: "It (his absence) could be a big one. Or maybe it will inspire the team. Maybe it will be good for the team - maybe they will try and show everybody that we can do it.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up but it would be a weird thing that he couldn't play. It would be kind of sad."
However, the 45-year-old was confident Woods can make a successful return although the game will be poorer without him, saying: "It is very sad for everybody. As long as he is okay, he's going to be fine but I'm sure he wanted to play the Europa Championship and the PGA but you've got to do what you've got to do.
"It's sad - I like it when Tiger is around, it makes everything better.
"He'll be fine, he'll rehab it correctly. I'm sure he'll be fine by next year."
Mediate had been bidding to become the oldest first-time winner of a major championship and twice had victory within his grasp, only for Woods to send their duel into sudden death.
On the 91st hole Woods finally shook off his fellow American with Mediate missing his putt to end his hopes of victory.
Mediate admitted he was aware of Woods' injury but thought it had improved by the final day.
"Surprisingly it didn't look as though anything was going on at all (on Monday).
"It looked a lot worse on Saturday and not so good on Sunday, but Saturday looked the worse day to me.
"On Monday - I'm sure it hurt - but there wasn't a lot of that bending down and I didn't see a lot of it.
"But he knew he was hurt and I asked him after and he said 'yeah it still hurts and I need to get it checked' and all of a sudden he is done for the year, which is kind of sad. I wish he wasn't done for the year, it was a great week.
"He would never make excuses, if I'd have won by five shots he'd never say 'well I couldn't play because of my knee'.
"You knew something was wrong because all week he was in a lot of pain and wasn't swinging like he usually swings."
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