Why did Tiger Woods turn down Ryder Cup captaincy?
Tiger Woods is still the face of golf, despite its current division created by the emergence of LIV Golf, but it appears he won’t be captain of the Ryder Cup team.
The Ryder Cup is still a ways away, but it appears that Team USA is going to have to continue their search for a captain. Tiger Woods was dubbed as the favorite for the role, but reports are the 15-time major winner has turned down the offer.
Tiger turns down Ryder Cup role
The PGA of America who is in charge of the decision will make their announcement on Tuesday in New York, but according to the Telegraph, their first choice is no longer on the table. There is a short list of candidates that are on the table to captain Team USA including Stewart Cink, Fred Couples and Davis Love III.
With the state of golf as it is, Tiger has been one of the mediators trying to bring peace between the PGA and LIV Golf. There has been an all-too-public feud between the two golf organizations, and although framework for a merger was announced over a year ago, there is still much to be worked out.
With a strapped schedule that includes practicing on his game and boardroom meetings with the big wigs of the PGA, Tiger has limited time for other ventures. Apparently, Woods did state he would accept the role if the captain duties were reduced in the lead up to the Ryder Cup, but there was no agreement between the two sides and it looks as though Tiger will not be involved with Team USA next year.
Donald will captain Europeans
Things are much more clear on the other side of the Atlantic. Luke Donald has been named as captain for a European team that has won five of the last seven cups and has much better chemistry between the golfers than the US does. Donald agreed to captain the side for a second time back in December while the US continues to look for some stability before the Cup starts.
Stewark Cink is the favorite to take on captain duties after Woods’ sudden rejection of the role, but Couples is a fan favorite and with the Cup at New York’s famous Bethpage he could be a more enticing choice. Love III is the only one of the candidates with previous experience, having captained the team twice, having lost in 2012 and won in 2016.
The Ryder Cup will tee off next year from Bethpage in Framingdale, New York on September 26-28. First, Team USA are going to have to pick a captain and then the captain will select a team that will be capable of taking the cup back from Europe after their 16.5-11.5 win back in 2023.