Tiger Woods has been heavily tipped to become the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain, and the 82-time PGA Tour winner has had his say on potentially leading his country
Tiger Woods discussed becoming Ryder Cup captain
Tiger Woods has had his say on potentially becoming the next United States Ryder Cup captain, admitting the ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf could well play a part in his decision.
Team USA fell to defeat in Rome at last Autumn’s Ryder Cup, as their European rivals won the clash at Marco Simone 16.5-11.5. On the back of their victory, Team Europe have once again opted to lay their trust in Luke Donald, who will become the first skipper since 1995 to take on back-to-back captaincy stints.
Donald’s reappointment was confirmed last November, just over a month on from victory in Italy. On the other side, the Americans are still yet to confirm their 2025 captain, but Woods appears to be the man at the top of the list.
Discussing the possibility of taking on the role at Bethpage Black, Woods said at this week’s PGA Championship: “We’re still talking. There’s nothing that has been confirmed yet. We’re still working on what that might look like. Also whether or not I have the time to do it.
“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. 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.”
Woods has taken up a prominent role in the PGA Tour’s off-course conversations, with negotiations over a potential peace deal ongoing with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). Woods is representing his players on a Tour subcommittee which is in charge of discussions with their Saudi counterparts.
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Tiger Woods is back in action this week (Image:
Getty Images)
Doubt over the agreement was cast this week as the man in charge of the negotiations on the PGA Tour side, Jimmy Dunne, resigned from his role after ‘no meaningful progress’ had been made. Woods however has reassured the talks between the two sides are continuing daily.
“We’re working on negotiations with PIF. It’s ongoing, it’s fluid,” he added. “It changes day-to-day. Has there been progress? Yes, but it’s an ongoing negotiation, so a lot of work ahead for all of us with this process. And so we’re making steps and it may not be giant steps, but we’re making steps.”
The 15-time major champion will make just his third start of the season at this week’s PGA Championship, as continues to operate a part-time playing schedule. He competed in this year’s Genesis Invitational in February, but was forced to withdraw due to illness in the second round. He then returned at last month’s Masters, completing all 72 holes of a tournament for just the fourth time in two years.
