Wood goes from caddie to TV to team USA Ryder Cup manager
John Wood, a seasoned veteran of nine Ryder Cups in various roles, is set to take on a new position as team manager for the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black next year. Selected by the PGA Ryder Cup Committee, Wood will provide strategic and operational consulting to the captain, assistants, players, and the…
John Wood, a seasoned veteran of nine Ryder Cups in various roles, is set to take on a new position as team manager for the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black next year. Selected by the PGA Ryder Cup Committee, Wood will provide strategic and operational consulting to the captain, assistants, players, and the PGA of America management.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Wood described it as a “truly a dream job.”
While the U.S. team captain has yet to be determined, Tiger Woods is the leading candidate and is currently in discussions with the PGA of America about his ability to commit sufficient time to the role for the 2025 matches. Wood’s appointment as team manager is expected to alleviate some of the captain’s responsibilities, potentially making it easier for Tiger Woods to accept the position.
Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, praised Wood, stating, “John is a passionate and dedicated individual. His years of experience in domestic and international team competitions, as well as his deep understanding of match play dynamics, will be a tremendous asset as we create a strategic plan that delivers success at all future Ryder Cups. I’m not sure that we could have invented a better fit for this role in terms of experience, enthusiasm, and relevance.”
Wood’s Ryder Cup history includes caddying for Mark Calcavecchia in 2002 at The Belfry, Chris Riley in 2004 at Oakland Hills, Hunter Mahan in 2008, 2010, and 2014, and Matt Kuchar in 2016 at Hazeltine, where he was part of winning teams in 2008 at Valhalla and 2016 at Hazeltine. He also served as a team assistant in the 2018 matches in France and worked as an on-course reporter for NBC at Whistling Straits and Marco Simone in the last two Ryder Cups.
After more than 20 years as a caddie, with his final stint alongside Kuchar, Wood joined NBC Sports in 2021. As team manager for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, Wood will be involved in player selection, recruitment, logistics, and fostering a positive team environment.
“There is nothing — and I mean nothing — in my professional career that I have been more passionate about than the Ryder Cup,” Wood said.
He will continue his role as an NBC on-course reporter, except during the Ryder Cup.
The American team is aiming to break their losing streak on European soil, which dates back to 1997, while they have won the past two home matches at Hazeltine and Whistling Straits.