Tiger Woods explains declining Ryder Cup captaincy, leaves the door open for future opportunities
On Tuesday, Tiger Woods opened up about declining the Ryder Cup captaincy for the 2025 event while leaving the door open for future opportunities. Woods, who was a staple of Team USA for years between 1997 and 2012, has competed in eight Ryder Cups, however, his schedule is too busy for him to commit to captaining the team for 2025 at Bethpage Black. He last competed in 2018 with Jim Furyk as captain.
“With my new responsibilities to the TOUR and time commitments involved, I felt like I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain,” Woods said in a statement released Tuesday by the PGA of America. “That does not mean I wouldn’t want to captain a 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.”
The five-time Masters Tournament champion took on the role of Vice Chairman for the PGA Tour last year. Woods also has other projects in the works, including a golf simulator league (TGL) that he’s putting together with Rory McIlroy. It was set to launch in January of 2024, but the venue was destroyed. The site of the venue is in Florida. The launch is now delayed until 2025. Some of the world’s top golfers have committed to play in the league, including Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The winningest golfer on the PGA Tour also has a new sports bar opening up with pop icon Justin Timberlake. The duo recently received approval to convert St. Andrews New Picture House Cinema into the second location of the pair’s T-Squared Social sports bar.
Team USA turns to Keegan Bradley to captain in New York
Instead of Tiger Woods, Team USA’s captain will be former PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley. Bradley, who competed for Team USA at the Ryder Cup in 2012 and 2014, first as a qualifier, then as a captain’s pick, had his rejection from the 2023 team documented on season two of Netflix’s Full Swing.
“I am incredibly honored to accept this opportunity to captain the United States Team at the 2025 Ryder Cup,” Bradley said on Tuesday. ‘I would like to thank the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for their trust in me as we embark on this journey to Bethpage Black.
“My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to beginning preparations for 2025.”
Bradley is currently the No. 19-ranked golfer in the world. He has six PGA Tour victories, including the 2011 PGA Championship, and two European Tour victories.