Revealed: Why Tiger Woods rejected the chance to become US Ryder Cup captain

Keegan Bradley has officially been confirmed as the captain of the 2025 US Ryder Cup team, while Stewart Cink has disclosed the reasons why Tiger Woods declined the role.

Cink, who was also considered for the captaincy, stated that Woods was the PGA of America’s top choice following Zach Johnson’s leadership during the US team’s narrow five-point loss at Marco Simone in Rome.

Woods, 48, was initially enthusiastic about captaining the team in New York. However, his involvement in negotiating the PGA Tour’s ongoing deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) was a significant reason for his refusal. Other factors included his recovery from injuries, the launch of his new TGL league with Rory McIlroy in early 2025, and his desire to continue improving his game and participate in more tournaments next season.

So far in 2024, Woods has competed in four tournaments, completing 72 holes only once and finishing last among those who made the cut at The Masters. His next appearance will be at The Open at Royal Troon, Scotland, from July 18-21.

Cink, who won the 2009 Open, mentioned that Woods still harbors hopes of competing in the next US Ryder Cup team, albeit a long shot.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Scottish Open, Cink remarked, “I thought he [Woods] would have first run at it and he has. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s turned it down because since he’s stepped into the board position – the PGA Tour is pretty busy right now and he’s got a lot away from the course too with his injuries and trying to recover and get himself in the kind of condition that he can play. He wants to play. I’m not surprised he turned it down. It’s probably a pretty big role when you consider adding it to all that stuff.”

According to Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig, who first reported Bradley’s appointment, Woods declined the captaincy around the same time Seth Waugh stepped down as head of the PGA. There is speculation that Woods could be the captain for the 2027 US Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in Ireland.

PGA of America President John Lindert confirmed Bradley’s appointment as the 2025 US Ryder Cup captain on Monday, July 8. Bradley’s selection came as a surprise to many, considering Woods had been the leading candidate for nearly nine months. Other potential candidates included Cink, Fred Couples, and Davis Love III.