Tiger Woods Keeps Quiet on 2027 Ryder Cup Captaincy, but the Door’s Still Open
Tiger Woods isn’t tipping his hand when it comes to the 2027 Ryder Cup. In fact, he’s barely acknowledging the question - at least publicly.
Speaking ahead of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods was asked whether he’d be interested in leading the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2027.
His response? A firm non-answer.
“No one’s asked me about it,” Woods said.
Pressed again, he repeated the same line. For someone as measured and media-savvy as Tiger, that kind of repetition says a lot - even if it technically says nothing. He’s not ready to commit, and he’s certainly not ready to talk about it.
That silence comes on the heels of Woods turning down the 2025 Ryder Cup captaincy, which ultimately went to Keegan Bradley. The decision wasn’t a surprise.
Woods has been deeply involved in the business side of golf lately, particularly through his role on the PGA Tour Policy Board. Balancing that with the demands of a Ryder Cup captaincy - especially one on home soil - just wasn’t in the cards.
But 2027? That’s a different story.
The Americans haven’t won a Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993. That’s a 30-plus-year drought and counting. After back-to-back losses - the most recent coming in September at Marco Simone in Italy, where a final-day U.S. surge fell short and Europe retained the Cup with a 16.5-11.5 win - the pressure is on to find a leader who can reverse the trend.
Woods confirmed he watched “pretty much all of it” and stayed in close contact with players and captains throughout the event. So even if he wasn’t physically on site, he was dialed in behind the scenes - a reminder that his influence on Team USA remains strong, even without a title.
Of course, the 2023 Ryder Cup wasn’t just about golf. The weekend was marred by some ugly fan behavior, which drew international headlines and took some of the shine off what was otherwise a high-level competition.
Looking ahead, the 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor in Ireland - a venue with deep ties to Woods. The resort is owned by J.P.
McManus, a close friend of Tiger’s, and Woods has played in McManus’s charity Pro-Am four times, most recently in 2022. That relationship could be a key factor if the PGA of America comes calling.
Leading the U.S. team in a place he’s comfortable, with a chance to finally win on European soil? That’s the kind of legacy-defining opportunity that might get Woods to say yes.
And let’s be honest - if there’s anyone who could galvanize an American team and end the European road curse, it’s Tiger.
On the other side, Europe seems to have found its man in Luke Donald. After guiding the team to back-to-back victories, Donald looks like a lock to captain the squad again in 2027. Continuity has been a strength for the Europeans, and Donald’s calm, tactical leadership has clearly resonated with his players.
Ryder Cup captaincies are typically announced about 18 months ahead of the event, which means we’re likely looking at a spring 2026 decision. Between now and then, there’s plenty of time for Woods to weigh his options, balance his commitments, and decide whether he wants to take on the challenge.
For now, Tiger’s keeping his cards close to the vest. But make no mistake - the U.S. needs a spark, and if Woods decides to step into that role, it could be the turning point they’ve been waiting for.