Tiger Woods ‘logical choice’ as next Ryder Cup captain if he wants: major winner

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There was a time when it was a foregone conclusion that Phil Mickelson would be the US Ryder Cup captain at Bethpage Black in two years time. Then LIV happened, which has seemingly ended Lefty’s chances, at least in the near future, of assuming that position.

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That had left the US captaincy up for grabs, though within the last week it’s become clear that another legendary figure in the game could very well be the guy: Tiger Woods. As the Ryder Cup broadcast ended on NBC last week in Rome, former US captain Paul Azinger floated a Tiger vs. Sergio Garcia idea for the biennial event in 2025. It’s certainly a spicy thought given the pair’s history, including their history at Bethpage Black, where Woods fended off Garcia, as well as Mickelson, to win the 2002 US Open. Of course, with Garcia’s Ryder Cup status also in limbo due to LIV, it’s an unlikely captain matchup. 

But Woods would still be a good fit, something another former US captain, Davis Love III, all but guaranteed on Thursday at the PGA Tour Champions’ Furyk & Friends event. 

“We’ve got to call Tiger Woods and ask him,” Love said. “I think if he wants—obviously Tiger’s into a lot of stuff right now, but it’s kind of his call.”

That “stuff” Love is referring to includes his new TGL simulator league, caddying for his son Charlie and his course design business, among other interests. Not to mention the fact he’s still recovering from his latest ankle surgery, with no word on whether he’s planning to return to competition or not. Plus, who knows if he actually wants it at all. Woods has enjoyed being a part of the process in years past, and he’s already 1-0 as a playing captain in team events. But it’s still a large undertaking that can be all-consuming, as Love and others have come to understand. 

“I remember a time when Tiger and Phil watched me do it and went, ‘Holy cow, I don’t know if we want to put that much time and effort into it,'” Love said. “It takes a lot out of you. Hopefully, we can talk [Woods] into it.”

Still, it’s Tiger Woods. If he wants the captaincy, all he has to do is say it, Love added. 

“I hate to put pressure on him, but it’s kind of his call,” Love said. “Obviously, with some guys out, he’s the next logical choice.”