Tiger Woods admission from Keegan Bradley speaks volumes about Ryder Cup involvement

Keegan Bradley Hints at Potential Role for Tiger Woods in 2025 Ryder Cup

Team USA captain, Keegan Bradley, has revealed he has been in discussions with Tiger Woods about the possibility of the golfing legend being involved in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Bradley, who will lead the American side in their quest to reclaim the Ryder Cup title lost to Europe in Italy in 2023, is open to Woods playing a part in the team’s efforts.

While Bradley tempered expectations regarding Woods’ involvement, he didn’t dismiss the idea of the 15-time major champion taking on a role. Woods, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups over the span of two decades, has twice lifted the iconic trophy during his career.

“I spoke to Tiger a bunch when the announcement happened,” Bradley said. “He was incredibly helpful and had a lot of great advice. With the demands of the President’s Cup and the playoffs, I’ve put some things on pause for now. But I’ll be addressing it in the coming weeks and months. I’ve had great conversations with Tiger, and as a mentor to all of us, he’s offered great suggestions on how we can strengthen the team.”

Woods’ most recent Ryder Cup appearance in 2018 was his weakest, finishing with an 0-4 record at Le Golf National in Paris as Team USA suffered another heavy defeat to Europe. However, Bradley’s team will have the advantage of home soil at Bethpage Black, with the last away victory in the tournament coming from Europe at Medinah Country Club in 2012.

Woods, who has been focused on his recovery and fitness, has his hands full with other golf-related projects as well. He is actively involved in the ongoing PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger and recently announced plans to design a new course in Aledo, Texas. Additionally, Woods will be launching a high-tech golf league, TGL, in January 2024, alongside Rory McIlroy. This new league will feature 24 top PGA Tour players, including Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, and others, competing in weekly televised matches at a Florida arena.

Bradley and European captain Luke Donald have both expressed openness to including LIV Golf players in future Ryder Cup teams. In the 2023 edition, only one LIV Golf member, Brooks Koepka, participated, while the remaining team spots were filled by PGA Tour and DP World Tour players.

Bradley is also contemplating the possibility of becoming the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963. At 38, Bradley is in peak form, having recently claimed a stunning victory at the BMW Championship in the FedEx Cup playoffs in August.

Woods’ potential involvement with Team USA could provide a significant boost, as the team looks to leverage his wealth of experience and insights in their pursuit of Ryder Cup glory at Bethpage Black in 2025.