Why Tiger Woods should keep well clear of Ryder Cup captaincy for 2027

As the dust settles on another Ryder Cup defeat for Team USA, the most prominent question is who will replace Keegan Bradley as captain for 2027?

Bradley was a surprise choice to skipper the side for Bethpage Black, given that he was still only 38 years of age at the time and still playing, and winning, on the PGA Tour.

He faced a huge predicament in the build-up to last week’s showdown in New York as he considered naming himself as a captain’s pick. The former PGA champion ultimately resisted that temptation, but it was bizarre that Bradley’s world ranking is currently higher than 12 of the players across both teams.

Having committed to being captain only, everything went wrong for him over the first two days, although his side mounted a magnificent comeback on the final day as they came close to overturning a seven-point deficit.

Bradley took the blame for making too many mistakes, particularly with the course set-up, and it’s a near-certainty that he will step aside and focus on being at Adare Manor in a playing capacity in two years’ time. Having said that, William Hill have him as 2/1 favourite to stay on as captain!

So who would he be playing under if he makes it?

The popular choice in the United States is, of course, Tiger Woods. But is that a realistic proposition?

Woods was first choice for the PGA of America to lead the team in New York, but he turned the role down due to his myriad of commitments off the course.

He felt that he could not give anywhere near enough time to being a Ryder Cup captain, although he did not rule out giving it a go in the future.

“With my new responsibilities to the TOUR and time commitments involved, I felt like I would not be able to commit the time to Team USA and the players required as a captain,” Woods said last year.

“But that does not mean I wouldn’t want to captain a team in the future. If and when I feel it is the right time, I will put my hat in the ring for this committee to decide."

He would be a hugely popular choice with golf fans of both the USA and Europe, and his presence in Ireland would ramp up the interest significantly. Woods would garner the lion’s share of attention, and that could benefit his players. The more focus on him, the less his team would have to deal with.

The 49-year-old has the required experience and skillset, having led the USA to victory as a playing-captain at the Presidents Cup in Australia in 2019, while he was one of Davis Love’s vice-captains for the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine.

He was in regular contact with Bradley in an advisory role ahead of this year’s renewal, so he clearly knows exactly what is involved. His passion for the Ryder Cup is undoubted, even though he was on the winning side only once in his eight appearances.

So, would he throw his hat into the ring for 2027? Honestly, I don’t think he will.

Tiger Woods will protect his pride at all costs. He can’t abide losing at anything, and his unflinching desire to win was one of the biggest factors in his 15 major championship victories.

The fact is that Team USA have not won the Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993. They’ve come close a couple of times, particularly at Valderrama and Celtic Manor, but they have generally been a distant second best when crossing the Atlantic.

As much as Woods would be determined to be the captain that ended that dismal run of away defeats, he’ll be more likely to avoid taking the risk of being on a hiding to nothing. And the performance of his compatriots over the first two days at Bethpage would have been another turn-off!

For what it’s worth, I’m going to predict that Woods will pass on the role again, but he will be the American captain when the Ryder Cup returns to Hazeltine in 2029. Familiar surroundings, home comforts and previous experience of winning the trophy there should sway his hand.

Predictions for the 2027 captain? I’m not sure who would be keen to take it on bearing in mind what Bradley has endured over the last few months. At times, he looked closer to 49 than 39!

The PGA of America will look closely at how Luke Donald has approached the role for two European successes, and find someone with similar qualities, intelligence and dedication.

My guess? Step forward Webb Simpson!