Jim Furyk opens door to Tiger Woods Ryder Cup role at Adare Manor

Jim Furyk has refused to rule out Tiger Woods taking on a role in the United States Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor — while also leaving the door open for the 15-time major champion to make the team as a player if his game is sharp enough in 2027.

With 12 months to go until the Ryder Cup in Ireland, Furyk is already considering how Woods could fit into his plans, although the U.S. captain admits a decision is still some way off.

Woods, 50, has not played competitive golf since The Open at Royal Troon in July 2024, with his playing career increasingly dominated by a series of injury setbacks and off-course troubles. 

But Furyk is not ruling out a return to the Ryder Cup setup for one of the most influential figures in golf.

Asked whether Woods could become one of his assistant captains at Adare Manor, Furyk said the pair would discuss the possibility closer to the tournament.

"I'll have that conversation," Furyk told Sky Sports Golf.

"Tiger and I have always been friendly. We partnered up for a few years in these matches.

"Yeah, wishing him the best, and I'm anxious to see how much he plays anymore as well, so, but always a fan favourite and always a figure in our team room as well."

Furyk's latest comments leave Woods with two potential routes back into the U.S. Ryder Cup setup for 2027. 

The more obvious option would be for the former World No.1 to serve as one of Furyk's assistants, bringing a wealth of Ryder Cup experience and an understanding of the unique pressures involved in the biennial contest.

Woods has played in eight Ryder Cups, compiling a fairly disappointing 13-21-3 record by his own high standards. 

His playing record has not stopped him becoming an important figure in the U.S. team room, however, and Woods has since gained considerable experience away from the course.

Woods captained the United States to victory at the 2019 Presidents Cup, beating Ernie Els' Internationals at Royal Melbourne.

Furyk has also not completely closed the door on Woods being involved as a player.

Should Woods return to competitive golf and rediscover enough form to challenge for a place on the U.S. team, Furyk suggested he would at least be prepared to have that conversation.

That remains a huge question mark given Woods' lengthy absence from competition, but Furyk is unwilling to make a definitive call 12 months before the opening tee shot at Adare Manor.

For now, the U.S. captain's focus is on assembling a team capable of ending America's long wait for an away Ryder Cup victory.

The Americans have not won the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993.

Whether Woods ultimately watches from inside Furyk's team room as an assistant or somehow finds himself competing for a playing place, his involvement could become one of the defining storylines of the build-up to Adare Manor.