Tiger Woods’ chances of leading the US in the next two Ryder Cups have increased after the 48-year-old confirmed talks over the role will conclude after the Masters.
It has always been assumed that Woods will lead his country at Adare Manor in 2027. However, the PGA of America has also given the fifteen-time Major winner the opportunity to captain Bethpage next year. Woods had stalled Ryder Cup discussion until Tuesday at Augusta National, where he gave the clearest indication yet that he will soon be announced as USA captain.
“We still talk about it,” Woods said. He was asked whether his decision would be related to his ability to play competitive golf. “It’s something that Seth (Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America) and I will sit back and talk about after this event. I said I’m going to be busy for a few weeks, so let me just focus on getting through this week and hopefully get a new coat, and then we can sit back and talk about it next week.
Woods as captain would significantly raise the profile of the Ryder Cup, with the US looking to reclaim the trophy on the outskirts of New York. Had he not signed for the LIV tour, Phil Mickelson would have been the automatic choice for this position. Instead, signs point to Woods taking charge of back-to-back teams. His connection to Adare is due to his close friendship with the Irish resort’s owner, JP McManus. Woods’ status in the game has always been such that he can determine his own Ryder Cup situation.
Of more immediate concern for Woods is the potential claim of a sixth Masters title. Woods has not played tournament golf since withdrawing from February’s Genesis Invitational due to illness. “If everything comes together, I think I can get another one,” Woods said of his prospects at Augusta. Woods’ competitive mentality was further highlighted by his firm dismissal of any notion of him wanting to become an honorary starter here in the future.
Still, there are understandable concerns about Woods’ longevity. During the Hero World Challenge in November, he came up with the idea of playing once a month by 2024. Following his departure from the Genesis, Woods surprisingly failed to appear at the Players Championship in March. “I wasn’t ready to play yet,” he explained. “My body wasn’t ready for it yet. My game wasn’t done yet. When I was at Hero, I thought that once a month would be a very nice rhythm. It hasn’t worked out that way yet, but now we have major championships every month from here until July. So now hopefully once a month will start.”
This is good news for the organizers of the US PGA Championship, US Open and Open Championship. “I’m in pain every day,” said Woods, whose body had undergone multiple surgeries even before a car accident that caused serious leg damage in 2021.
Woods, who last won the Masters in 2019, would make history if he succeeds in Augusta for what would be a record 24e time. “I will say this: I think the last thing on his mind is the cut,” said Fred Couples, who played alongside Woods on the back nine Tuesday. “I don’t know what the weather should be like. I don’t know if it’s supposed to be perfect or not, but I don’t think he cares. He can play well in wind and rain and all that.
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“Can he win here? You know what, yeah. I just watched him play nine holes, and nine holes is just nine holes on a Tuesday, but he never makes a bad shot. But I think he would laugh at the idea of cutting back. That’s a huge record, but he’s here to win. He’s here to play really, really hard. His ankle is bad. We know. But he’s going to go 72 holes and if he keeps playing like that, he’ll be a factor.”
Couples were right when they referred to the elements. The Masters weather bulletins indicate a 90% chance of thunder on Thursday. Gusts are forecast to reach 45mph either side of lunchtime.