Tiger’s ‘talking’ captain spot for 2025 Ryder Cup
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods rarely gives up much in interviews.
Tuesday during his pretournament press conference in advance of this week’s Masters, though, Woods dished out an intriguing nugget about his potential captaincy for the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2025 at Bethpage Black, where he won the 2002 U.S. Open.
Asked whether he was going to be the captain, Woods said with a smile, “We’re still talking about it.’’
Asked what the factors involved were, and whether they were linked with him still wanting to play more golf, Woods delivered some news.
“It’s something that Seth [Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America] and I are going to sit back and talk about it after this event,’’ Woods said. “I said I’m going to be busy for a couple weeks, so let me focus on getting through this week and hopefully getting another jacket, and then we can sit back and talk about it next week.’’
This was interesting because Woods didn’t have to reveal that he and Waugh were going to talk Ryder Cup after the Masters.
Whether related or not, Woods played with Waugh at the prestigious annual pro-member tournament at Seminole Golf Club in March. It was the first time Woods has played in that event despite the fact that he lives only a few miles away in South Florida.
Woods captained the 2019 Presidents Cup team to victory in Royal Melbourne and served as an assistant captain for the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2018.
He, too, has been involved behind the scenes in the past couple of Ryder Cup teams, though not as an official vice-captain capacity. Zach Johnson, the captain of the 2023 U.S. team, said often last year that he was in “constant communication” with Woods despite Woods not being there with the team.
Phil Mickelson — a massive favorite, particularly in the New York area — was long thought to be the choice to captain the 2025 U.S. side. But his jump to LIV Golf has taken him out of consideration.
It’s been common knowledge around the game for a while that the job is Woods’ if he wants it.
The U.S. Ryder Cup team is coming off a lopsided loss to Europe in October in Rome. Luke Donald, who captained the Europeans to victory in Italy, is returning for a second go in 2025.
It’s not known to whom the PGA of America would turn to should Woods decline. Among the names believed to be under consideration is Stewart Cink, a highly popular player on the PGA Tour.