Tiger Woods has said he turned down the USA’s 2025 Ryder Cup captaincy because of his time-consuming role in the PGA Tour’s talks with LIV Golf’s Saudi backers, but that doesn’t mean he will never lead the team in the future.
Woods, who was considered the clear favorite to take over the captaincy, released a statement read by Julius Mason, senior director of the PGA of America, during the introductory press conference of newly appointed Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.
“Due to my new responsibilities on Tour and the time commitments that come with it, I felt I could not devote the time that a captain could devote to Team USA and the required players,” Woods’ statement said.
“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be captain of a team in the future. When I feel the time is right, I will throw my hat in the ring and let this committee make the decision.”
Woods, 48, is part of a subcommittee in direct negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund as both sides try to negotiate a potential deal that would reunite the fragmented sport.
Woods, who has a limited playing schedule, discussed the captaincy with the PGA of America and was widely expected to lead the team to Bethpage Black given his experience as a player and assistant at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
Bradley has not spoken to anyone about being one of his vice-captains, but has spoken to Woods and told the 15-time major champion that he can be as involved as he wants on the 2025 Ryder Cup team.
“All of us players admire Tiger and his opinion means a lot to us,” Bradley said. “When you sit in the team room with Tiger, the public doesn’t realize how important this (the Ryder Cup) is to him. It means everything to him.”
“He lives and breathes this event and I think it shows how much he cares that he turned down this position because he felt he couldn’t do what he needed to do with all his commitments related to the Tour.”
Bradley, who has made two Ryder Cup appearances but was not named to the 2023 squad despite two wins this year, also said his team will consist of the best players, regardless of whether they play golf on the PGA Tour or LIV.
“I’m going to put the 12 best players on the team,” Bradley said. “I don’t care where they play.”