Tiger Woods may be one of the most iconic names in golf, but when it comes to the 2027 Ryder Cup, he's not ready to commit to wearing the captain’s hat-at least not yet.
Speaking from the Bahamas on Tuesday, Woods was asked directly whether he’s eyeing the U.S. captaincy for the next Ryder Cup, set to be played at Adare Manor in Ireland. His response? A smile and a bit of a curveball.
“No one’s asked me about it,” Woods said, flashing a grin that suggested he knew exactly what kind of buzz that answer would generate.
Pressed again, Woods didn’t budge-same answer, same smile. It was a lighthearted moment, but it also reinforced what we’ve seen from Woods over the past year: he’s keeping his Ryder Cup future close to the vest.
Back in July 2024, Woods turned down the opportunity to captain the 2025 U.S. team at Bethpage Black. The decision wasn’t about interest-it was about time. With his increasing responsibilities tied to the PGA Tour's governance and his already-packed schedule, Woods felt he couldn’t give Team USA the full commitment the role demands.
“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,” Woods said in a statement at the time. “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.”
That opened the door for Keegan Bradley, who was officially named captain later that same month. Bradley will lead the U.S. squad into what’s expected to be a raucous home crowd at Bethpage in 2025. But with the 2027 matches still nearly two years away, the door remains very much open for Woods to step into the role next time around-if he wants it.
Woods has certainly been around the Ryder Cup block. He served as a vice captain in 2016, and while he last played in the event in 2018, his most recent leadership role came in 2019 when he captained the U.S.
Presidents Cup team to victory at Royal Melbourne. That week was a reminder that when Woods is engaged in a leadership role, he brings more than just his name-he brings strategy, presence, and a deep understanding of what it takes to win.
Even though he wasn’t officially part of the U.S. team setup at Bethpage, Woods was still in the mix behind the scenes. He stayed in touch with players and captains throughout the week, offering support and insight as the Americans ultimately fell short in a 15-13 defeat.
“I watched pretty much all of it and was talking to the players and the captains involved in it, everyone involved on the U.S. side,” Woods said.
That kind of involvement, even from a distance, speaks volumes. Woods may not have worn the captain's badge in 2025, but his influence was still felt.
Should he take the reins in Ireland, Woods would be tasked with ending one of the most frustrating droughts in American golf: the U.S. hasn’t won a Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993 at The Belfry. That’s a streak that’s lasted over three decades-and counting.
As for the European side, their captain for 2027 remains a question mark. Luke Donald has led Europe to back-to-back wins in 2023 and 2025, and there’s chatter he could be tapped for a third consecutive run. If that happens, and if Woods accepts the U.S. role, we could be looking at a heavyweight captaincy showdown between two of the most respected figures in modern golf.
But for now, Woods is staying coy. Whether that smile in the Bahamas was just a deflection or a subtle hint of interest, time will tell. One thing’s for sure-when Tiger talks Ryder Cup, the golf world listens.