The possibility that Tiger Woods, 48, will captain the U.S. team for the next two Ryder Cups has increased after he confirmed talks for the role will end after the Masters.
Woods had been thought to lead his national team in 2027 at Adare Estate in County Limerick. However, the PGA of America has also given the 15-time major champion the opportunity to serve as captain at Bethpage next year. Woods held off Ryder Cup talk until Tuesday at Augusta National Park, where he gave his clearest indication yet that he would soon be announced as captain of the U.S. team.
“We’re still talking about it,” Woods said. He was pressed on whether his decision had anything to do with how much competitive golf he was able to play. “This is Seth [Waugh, the PGA of America’s chief executive] I’ll sit down and talk after this event. I said I was going to be busy for a few weeks, so let me focus on getting through this week and hopefully get another jacket and then we could sit down and talk about it next week. “
Woods’ role as captain will significantly raise the profile of the Ryder Cup, with Team USA taking home the trophy in suburban New York. If he doesn’t sign to play on the LIV Tour, Phil Mickelson will be the automatic option for the position. Instead, the signal is that Woods will be in charge of back-to-back teams. His connection with Adare was established through a close friendship with Irish resort owner JP McManus. Woods has always been in such good shape that he can decide his own Ryder Cup situation.
Woods’ more pressing concern is a possible sixth Masters title. Woods has not played in a golf tournament since withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational in February due to illness. “If everything goes well, I think I can get another one,” Woods said of his prospects at Augusta. Woods’ competitive mentality was quickly dismissed, further underscoring any thoughts he might have of becoming an honorary starter here in the future.
Still, concerns about Woods’ longevity are understandable. At the Hero World Challenge in November, he proposed the idea of participating in monthly competitions in 2024. After Genesis’ exit, Woods surprisingly failed to appear at the Players Championship in March. “I’m not ready to play,” he said.
“My body wasn’t ready. My game wasn’t ready. I felt like with Hero, once a month would be a really good rhythm. That’s not the case, but now from here to July, we’re doing it every month There are big tournaments. So now hopefully the monthly plan will start to happen.”
That’s good news for organizers of the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and British Open. “I hurt every day,” said Woods, who underwent multiple surgeries even before a car accident in 2021 severely damaged his leg.
Woods, who last won the Masters in 2019, made history by making the cut for the 24th time at Augusta National. “I will say this: I think the last thing on his mind is making the cut,” said Fred Couples, who played the back nine with Woods on Tuesday. “I don’t know what the weather is going to be like. I don’t know if it should be perfect, but I don’t think it matters to him. He can play well in wind and rain.
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“Can he win here? You know what, yeah. I only watched him play nine holes, and nine holes were just nine holes on Tuesday, but he never missed a beat. But I think he would laugh at the idea of a cut. This is a huge record, but he’s here to win. He’s here to play very, very hard. He’s got a bad ankle. We know that. But he’s going to play 72 holes, and if he keeps playing like this, he’s going to be a factor.”
Couple of references to elements are correct. The Masters weather advisory shows a 90% chance of thunderstorms on Thursday. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph are expected around lunchtime.
