Tiger Woods recently disclosed his reasons for declining the role of United States Ryder Cup captain, despite being the frontrunner to succeed Zach Johnson.
After months of discussions with the PGA of America, Woods cited his extensive responsibilities and commitments with the PGA Tour as the main factors behind his decision.
The announcement that Keegan Bradley would take on the captaincy came after Woods revealed his inability to dedicate the necessary time to the role. The 15-time Major winner emphasized that his current duties as a player director on the PGA Tour Policy Board and his involvement in negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund left him with little room to adequately serve as Ryder Cup captain.
In a statement, Woods explained:
“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.” However, he did not rule out the possibility of assuming the role in the future, stating, “If and when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring for this committee to decide.”
Ahead of the PGA Championship in May, Woods had already expressed his reluctance to take on the captaincy, highlighting the significant time and dedication required for the position. He reiterated this sentiment upon Bradley’s official unveiling as the new captain.
Bradley, who sought Woods’ counsel before accepting the role, shared his conversation with the golf legend, noting Woods’ support and guidance.
Bradley said: “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.”
The newly appointed captain also emphasized Woods’ continued influence and involvement, offering him the opportunity to contribute as much as he desires in the lead-up to next year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Bradley remarked on Woods’ passion for the event, stating:
“We as players 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.”
As Bradley prepares for his role, he acknowledges the significance of Woods’ decision and the weight of his new responsibilities, hoping to lead Team USA to success in the 2025 Ryder Cup.
