Tiger Woods Reveals Why He Declined US Ryder Cup Captaincy
Woods was the overwhelming favorite to succeed Zach Johnson as the next US Ryder Cup captain and had been in extended talks with the PGA of America over the role
Tiger Woods says he declined the opportunity to become United States Ryder Cup captain due to his responsibilities and commitments with the PGA Tour.
The PGA of America announced Keegan Bradley as the new Ryder Cup captain of Team USA on Monday, following months of discussions with Woods.
Woods was the overwhelming favorite to succeed Zach Johnson as the next captain and had been in extended talks with the PGA of America – which runs the US arm of the event – over the role.
However, the 15-time Major winner revealed that he turned down the offer due to a lack of time, but left the door open on potentially taking up the role in the future.
“With my new responsibilities to the Tour and time commitments involved, I felt I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain,” Woods said in a statement.
“That does not mean I wouldn't want to captain the team in the future. If and when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring for this committee to decide.”
Woods is a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board and has been a key figure in the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
He first spoke about his reluctance to take on the Ryder Cup captaincy ahead of the PGA Championship in May.
“I’m dedicating so much time to what we’re doing with the PGA Tour, I don’t want to not fulfil the role of the captaincy if I can’t do it," he said at the time.
“What that all entails, representing team USA and the commitments to the PGA of America, the players and the fans, I need to feel that I can give the amount of time that it deserves.”
Speaking to the media after his official unveiling as US Ryder Cup captain on Tuesday, Bradley said he spoke to Woods before accepting the job.
“Before I accepted this job, I needed to talk to Tiger,” Bradley said. “I wanted to make sure and I wanted to hear from him. We had a great conversation. I certainly need his input.
“I have spoken to Tiger a bunch. I spoke to him this morning on the phone. He's been very helpful. Tiger has always been really helpful to me. He's a great voice to hear. He's been reaching out to me and helping me, which has been amazing.”
Bradley said he told Woods that he can be “as involved as he wants to be” in the lead up to next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
“We as players we all look up to Tiger. His opinion means a lot to us. Being in team rooms with Tiger, the public doesn't realize how important this is to him. It's everything. He lives and breathes this event.
“I think it shows you how much he cares by turning this position down because he didn't feel like he could put in what he needed to do with all of his responsibilities with what's going on with the tour.”
Joel Kulasingham is freelance writer for Golf Monthly. He has worked as a sports reporter and editor in New Zealand for more than five years, covering a wide range of sports including golf, rugby and football. He moved to London in 2023 and writes for several publications in the UK and abroad. He is a life-long sports nut and has been obsessed with golf since first swinging a club at the age of 13. These days he spends most of his time watching, reading and writing about sports, and playing mediocre golf at courses around London.
-
Pac-12 Championship Winners Through The Years
One of NCAA Division I’s most prestigious conferences is the Pac-12 Conference – here are the teams and individuals who have won it through the years
By Mike Hall Published
-
George Bryan And Sean Walsh Move Through First Stage Of Korn Ferry Tour Q-School
Both George Bryan and Sean Walsh made it through to the second stages of Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, with both finishing inside the top 20 of their respective events
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'I Have Watched The First Swing In This Video 50 Times' - Max Homa Reacts To Angel Hidalgo's Crazy Golf Swings
A video of Angel Hidalgo's swings have been causing reaction on social media, with even multiple-time PGA Tour winner, Max Homa, reacting to them!
By Matt Cradock Published
-
PGA Tour Pro Five-Putts At Shriners Children's Open As Wind Causes Chaos
After a lengthy delay, due to 50mph winds, the Shriners Children's Open saw chaos, with one example being Joseph Bramlett who five-putted from 10-feet
By Matt Cradock Published
-
14 Big Names From LIV Golf And PGA Tour On Surprisingly Long Win Droughts
There are 14 big names, multiple Major champions and former World No.1s from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf who are stuck in surprisingly long winning droughts
By Paul Higham Published
-
Have Golf Fans Clocked Off For The Season? Worrying PGA Tour Ratings Show Substantial Drop-Off
Prior to the new NFL season kicking off, PGA Tour Sundays were averaging in the millions for TV viewing figures - that is no longer the case, far from it...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Bizarro' - Joel Dahmen Reacts To Four-Stroke Penalty For Carrying 15th Club
The one-time PGA Tour winner and Netflix Full Swing star was docked four strokes in the Shriners Children's Open first round after realizing he had a 15th club in the bag
By Elliott Heath Last updated
-
'We View Ourselves As A Tier One Event' - Ryder Cup Organizer Defends Huge Ticket Price Rises
Despite criticism for the huge price rises for Ryder Cup tickets, organizers have defended the $750 needed to watch the event in New York by saying that as a top event it has been priced accordingly
By Paul Higham Published
-
Is The Latest Greg Norman Report A Sign PGA Tour-PIF Deal Is Edging Closer?
The PIF is reportedly on the look-out for a new LIV Golf League CEO and plans to move Norman into a senior leadership position moving forward
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published