WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, golf ’s most prominent players for more than two decades, never realized the Ryder Cup would mean so much.

For Woods, it’s the culmination of a comeback that began in January after a fourth surgery on his lower back. For Mickelson, more than setting a record by playing his 12th Ryder Cup, the 48-year-old gets what he believes will be his last chance to capture that gold trophy away from home.

U.S. captain Jim Furyk added them to his team Monday evening as wild-card selections, along with Bryson DeChambeau.

Woods agreed to be a vice captain in late February, and he set a goal to be in Paris on Sept. 28-30 as a player.

“It’s incredible, it really is, to look back at the start of the year and now to have accomplished a goal like that,” Woods said. “To be a part of this team, and now to be a player is just … beyond special.”

Mickelson had qualified for every team since 1995, a streak that ended this year when he finished No. 10 in the standings. His 12th appearance breaks the Ryder Cup record held by Nick Faldo.

DeChambeau narrowly missed out on one of the eight automatic spots by missing the cut at the PGA Championship, and the 24- year-old Californian knew he had to show Furyk some form in the three weeks before the picks were announced.

He won the first FedEx Cup playoff event by four shots. He won the next FedEx Cup playoff event by two shots.

Tony Finau is believed to be the leading candidate for 12th and final spot.