Tiger Woods breaks silence on Ryder Cup captaincy choice but leaves future open

Tiger Woods has opened up on his decision to turn down the opportunity to captain Team USA at the next Ryder Cup, with Keegan Bradley instead taking on the role for the Americans

Tiger Woods has opened up on the reasons behind his decision to snub the opportunity to captain Team USA at the Ryder Cup

Tiger Woods has opened up on the reasons behind his decision to snub the opportunity to captain Team USA at the Ryder Cup (Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Earlier this week, Tiger Woods declined the prestigious role of captaining Team USA for the upcoming Ryder Cup. The seasoned golfer, with 82 PGA Tour wins and eight Ryder Cup appearances to his name, most recently in 2018, has passed over the chance to guide Team USA at Bethpage in favor of Keegan Bradley – a surprising twist, given Bradley’s exclusion from the team in Rome last year by former captain Zach Johnson.

On Tuesday, Woods shed light on his unexpected decision through statement released by the PGA of America. “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,” the statement said.

Despite ruling himself out for the 2025 leadership role, Woods tantalized fans by leaving the door ajar for a future captaincy bid, saying, “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.”

His decision followed a cryptic response back in May during the PGA Championship when he was questioned about his potential captaincy. He explained:”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 lthe role of the captaincy if I can’t do it,” he continued. “What that all entails and representing Team USA and the commitments to the PGA of America, the players, and the fans and as I said, all of Team USA. I need to feel that I can give the amount of time that it deserves.”

On the flip side, Bradley, the newly minted skipper, is rearing to take on the challenge at Bethpage next year.

Tiger Woods gave an honest response as he outlined why he has spurned the opportunity to captain Team USA at the Ryder Cup
Tiger Woods gave an honest response as he outlined why he has spurned the opportunity to captain Team USA at the Ryder Cup ( 
Image:

Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
He firmly declared, “I’m going to have the 12 best players on the team. I don’t care where they play. Our goal is to clinch this tournament and I couldn’t care less about this LIV drama. I’m after the cream of the crop players.”

Musing on how the golfing landscape might evolve, Bradley stated, “Come Bethpage 2025, who’s to say what the scenario will be? As for attending LIV events for scouting talent, I’m open to it if it means having the stoutest squad possible,” showing his laser focus on victory.

The American golfer reflected on the future of the Ryder Cup, stating: “Again, I think in 2025, by the time the Ryder Cup comes, maybe the golf world looks totally different. I just want the best players on the team. I think it’s silly for the U.S. team to not have the best players.”