Tiger Woods declines Ryder Cup captaincy; 5 others who can lead USA

The PGA of America will announce who will lead the Americans on the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Tuesday, Jul. 9, in New York City—thirty miles east of the place Bethpage Black will host the biennial competitors for the primary time.

Many golf followers and pundits have speculated that Tiger Woods will captain Team USA, because the 15-time main winner received the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Woods additionally has a greater resume than every other viable candidate, so it might make sense for him to take action.

But James Corrigan of The Telegraph studies that Woods turned down the captaincy for subsequent yr’s competitors. In prior months, Woods stated that he has had rather a lot on his plate, particularly with the PGA Tour, given his place on the Policy Board because it continues to work on a take care of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Woods additionally famous that he has had discussions with the PGA of America about main the Americans. Yet, neither facet finalized an settlement, with Woods worrying concerning the dedication the place would require.

“I’m dedicating a lot time to what we’re doing with the PGA Tour; I don’t need to not fulfill the position of the captaincy if I can’t do it,” Woods stated at this yr’s PGA Championship.

“What that each one entails and representing Team USA and the commitments to the PGA of America, the gamers, the followers, and, as I stated, all of Team USA. I must really feel that I can provide the period of time that it deserves.”

As such, it seems that the PGA of America will wait two extra years earlier than asking Woods to guide Team USA once more. Adare Manor in Ireland will host the 2027 Ryder Cup—the course and resort owned by J.P. McManus, the Irish businessman and philanthropist who additionally doubles as a detailed confidante of Woods. In addition, by then, Woods and the opposite stakeholders will hopefully have resolved golf’s present schism, which might alleviate Woods of loads of commitments, thus giving him extra time to dedicate to the Ryder Cup.

So, listed here are 5 different candidates—so as of least prone to most certainly—of who could lead on the Americans subsequent September at Bethpage Black:

5. Phil Mickelson

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The New York crowd likes to name Phil Mickelson considered one of their very own. He is beloved at Bethpage Black, Winged Foot, Shinnecock Hills, and each different course within the Tri-State space. Mickelson got here near profitable the U.S. Open on three events at Bethpage Black and Winged Foot, ending runner-up in 2002, 2006, and 2009.

Surely, the PGA of America would have chosen Mickelson to captain in a heartbeat for subsequent yr’s competitors, which might have fired up the raucous New York crowd much more. But his affiliation with LIV Golf makes him an unlikely candidate as he helped sheperd skilled golf’s present divide after becoming a member of the Saudi-backed circuit in 2022.

With that stated, Mickelson would have made a terrific chief for Bethpage. He has performed in additional Ryder Cups than every other American in historical past, amassing an 18-22-7 report over his profession 12 appearances. His first look got here at Oak Hill in 1995, and his final at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018—each European wins. Mickelson additionally served as considered one of Steve Stricker’s vice-captains in 2021, when the Americans received 19-to-9—the largest-ever defeat for the Europeans.

4. Mark O’Meara

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Mark O’Meara, a detailed good friend of Tiger Woods, performed in 5 Ryder Cups, with the 1999 competitors being his final. He didn’t have the perfect report, posting a 4-9-1 profession Ryder Cup report, however he does have the respect of his friends.

He additionally received two main championships, each of which got here in 1998. He received The Masters, as Woods helped him slip the Green Jacket on, and he turned the Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Birkdale.

O’Meara is an unlikely choice, however he’s a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. That, coupled along with his affiliation with Woods, is why he’s included on this listing.

3. Justin Leonard

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Justin Leonard holed arguably probably the most well-known putt in Ryder Cup historical past on the 1999 version at The Country Club at Brookline. On the seventeenth gap, from 45 toes away, Leonard drained his birdie try, thus eliciting a grand celebration from the Americans. Team USA swarmed the inexperienced, which flared European tempers, as Jose Maria Olabazal had a shorter putt to match. He subsequently missed, which all however secured the cup for the Americans.

Leonard performed in three Ryder Cups, received the 1997 Open Championship, and received 12 instances on the PGA Tour. He has additionally labored for NBC Sports as a commentator and is tremendously admired by his friends and the golf trade. Honoring Leonard’s putt 25 years later at Bethpage Black could be a pleasant homage, however he doubtless won’t get the nod from the PGA of America.

2. Fred Couples

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Another shut companion of Woods, Fred Couples, would make a terrific Ryder Cup captain at Bethpage Black. The 1992 Masters champion is beloved by {the golfing} world, and everybody would welcome his easy-going, laid-back demeanor.

Couples represented Team USA in 5 Ryder Cups, enjoying in every version from 1989 to 1997. One of the highlights of his profession got here at Oak Hill in 1995, when he chipped in for birdie on the well-known par-5 thirteenth throughout Saturday afternoon four-balls. His unlikely birdie turned the match again in direction of the Americans on Saturday, which helped give Team USA a commanding 10-to-6 lead going into Sunday Singles. But Europe finally prevailed. Still, Scotsman Sam Torrance later stated that he had by no means heard a louder roar on a golf course than after Couple’s chip-in—a sentiment he nonetheless believes to at the present time.

Nevertheless, Couples shouldn’t be a fan of LIV Golf, as he has publicly bashed the Saudi-backed circuit quite a few instances in recent times. But he must put these quarrels apart to guide Team USA, as Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka could be viable candidates to play for the Americans once more.

Judgments apart, Couples could be an ideal Ryder Cup captain, and, fairly frankly, he’s overdue for main Team USA. He has served as Vice Captain 3 times earlier than, most just lately doing so final yr. Plus, Couples is a sufficiently big identify that will warrant pleasure amongst New York golf followers and past.

1. Stewart Cink

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Stewart Cink, the 2009 Champion Golfer of the Year, has competed in 5 Ryder Cups and most just lately served as Vice Captain final yr. The 2023 version marked Cink’s first look on the competitors since 2010, when the Europeans defeated the Americans at Celtic Manor in Wales.

Over his profession, Cink amassed a 5-7-7 report in Ryder Cup competitors, however solely performed for a victorious American facet as soon as. That got here in 2008 underneath the tutelage of Paul Azinger.

Despite that, Cink now seems to be the favourite amongst doable candidates. He is 51 years outdated, nonetheless performs on the PGA Tour part-time, and has sturdy relationships with many present gamers on tour, together with youthful stars. Plus, Cink, like Couples, is a well-liked, easy-going participant who’s beloved by many. He is probably not the flashiest of picks for Bethpage Black, however he would undoubtedly be a protected guess. Cink would do an sufficient job within the position, however he’ll face a mountain of strain, contemplating the Americans have received their final two dwelling Ryder Cups. They additionally must bounce again after their embarrassing efficiency in Rome.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be positive to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.