Tiger Woods Says He Hasn’t Been Asked to Captain 2027 Ryder Cup Team - Yet
NASSAU, Bahamas - With the U.S. Ryder Cup team still licking its wounds after another tough loss - this time on home soil - the conversation is already shifting toward 2027.
And naturally, one name keeps surfacing: Tiger Woods. But if you think the PGA of America has already tapped the 15-time major champion to lead the charge in Ireland, think again.
“No one’s asked me about it,” Woods said Tuesday during his press conference ahead of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Club. When a reporter followed up by saying, “I’m asking you about it,” Tiger flashed that trademark grin and repeated the line: “No one’s asked me about it.”
It was classic Tiger - cool, composed, and not giving away much. But make no mistake, the idea of Woods captaining the U.S. squad at Adare Manor in 2027 is more than just fan fiction. It’s a logical next step for one of the most influential figures in the modern game.
Tiger’s Been Here Before - Just Not in This Role
Woods, who turns 50 later this month, has a deep Ryder Cup résumé. He’s made eight appearances as a player, spanning from his debut in 1997 through 2018. And while his individual record in the event has been the subject of plenty of debate over the years, there’s no questioning his stature or his influence inside a team room.
He’s also got some leadership experience under his belt. In 2019, Woods took on the rare role of playing captain at the Presidents Cup, steering the U.S. team to victory at Royal Melbourne - and doing so with a perfect 3-0 record in his own matches. That week was a showcase of his ability to lead, inspire, and still perform at the highest level.
Why He Passed on 2025
As for why he won’t be leading the team at Bethpage Black in 2025? That came down to timing and responsibilities. Woods confirmed Tuesday that he was approached about the captaincy but turned it down due to his commitments as a player director on the PGA Tour’s policy board.
That role has been anything but ceremonial. Woods has been deeply involved in ongoing negotiations with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and helped shape the recent hiring of Brian Rolapp as the Tour’s first-ever CEO. Between that and his own recovery - he underwent another back procedure just six weeks ago - the timing just wasn’t right.
So, the job went to Keegan Bradley, a fiery competitor who knows Bethpage well and has the kind of edge that could serve the U.S. team well on home turf.
Locked In, Even from Afar
Even though he wasn’t in Rome with Team USA this fall, Woods made it clear he was anything but disconnected.
“I watched pretty much all of it,” he said. “And was talking to the players and the captains involved in it - everyone involved on the U.S. side.”
That level of engagement matters. It shows that even when he’s not front and center, Woods is still a sounding board, a mentor, and a presence. And given the U.S. team’s ongoing struggles overseas - they haven’t won a Ryder Cup on foreign soil since 1993 - it’s fair to wonder if it’s time to hand the reins to someone who commands instant respect, knows how to win, and has seen just about everything the sport has to offer.
What Comes Next?
Woods didn’t say whether he’d be open to captaining in 2027, but the door certainly isn’t closed. And while he’s not one to campaign for the job, you get the sense that if the call comes, he’ll give it serious thought.
For now, he’s focused on his health, his role with the Tour, and getting back to competitive golf. But with the clock ticking toward Adare Manor, the PGA of America might want to make that call sooner rather than later.
Because if Tiger Woods is willing to lead, you don’t hesitate - you hand him the keys and let him drive.