Tiger Woods has decided not to play in the 2025 Ryder Cup, but he did not rule out captaining the United States in a future Ryder Cup tournament.
“Given my new responsibilities on tour and the time commitments that come with them, I felt I would not be able to devote the time to Team USA and its players as captain,” Woods said in a statement read by PGA senior director Julius Mason (via Sean Leahy of Yahoo Sports). “This does not mean I would not want to serve as team captain in the future. I will be open to any decision by this committee when I feel the time is appropriate.”
Though he’s no longer golf’s standout talent, the 15-time major champion remains in a class of his own when it comes to star power, and many fans were hoping he’d play in the next Ryder Cup.
Woods acknowledged in May that it was a topic of discussion.
“We’re still in discussions,” he told reporters. “Nothing’s been finalized yet. We’re still evaluating what that would look like and whether I have the time to do it.”
Woods has played in eight Ryder Cups and was vice captain when the U.S. beat Europe at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2016. It would be a major accomplishment if he led the U.S. next fall.
Keegan Bradley will take over as manager.
Woods has hinted at a larger leadership role within the PGA Tour amid the dragging-on merger with LIV Golf. The 48-year-old was named vice chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises in March.
of Telegraph It was reported in May that ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV may make it impossible for Woods to accept an official role on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Perhaps a solution will be found by the time of the 2027 Ryder Cup, at which point the golf legend might become more of a reality as captain of the U.S. team.
