Major winner on Tiger Woods turning down the Ryder Cup captaincy? "I'm not surprised"

Former Open champion Stewart Cink says he's not surprised Tiger Woods turned down the opportunity to be the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain. 

Woods, 48, was reportedly willing to succeed Zach Johnson as the skipper for Team USA for the 2025 contest at Bethpage Black in New York. 

But according to Telegraph Sport, the hall of famer wanted to have his overall commitments as captain reduced given his crucial role in helping the PGA Tour broker a deal with LIV Golf's financiers.

Woods previously cited the ongoing negotiations to unify the elite men's game as a stumbling block. 

Keegan Bradley has officially been named as the U.S. skipper and will give his first news conference later today (Tuesday). 

It was a choice out of left field and the decision has already sparked a wild debate as to whether it is too much of a gamble. 

Make no mistake, though, the 38-year-old will bring the fire and his fiery personality may well harness what is expected to be a raucous home crowd. 

Before Bradley was given the honour, it was anticipated that either Cink or former Masters champion Fred Couples would lead the red white and blue next September if Woods said 'no'. 

Cink told a group of reporters before the Scottish Open that the decision did not come as a shock to him. 

"It doesn't surprise me that he's turned it down," he told a group of reporters.  

"Because since he's stepped into the board position – the PGA Tour is pretty busy right now and he's got a lot away from the course too with his injuries and trying to recover and get himself in the kind of condition that he can play. He wants to play.

"I'm not surprised he turned it down. It's probably a pretty big role when you consider adding it to all that stuff."

Bradley is a six-time PGA Tour winner. He has played in two Ryder Cups and was on the losing side on both occasions.  

The American previously vowed not to open his return luggage from the 2012 Cup at Medinah until he was a winner in the biennial dust-up. 

Bradley's omission from the team last September was controversial, given his stellar form. 

But Johnson opted to pick Justin Thomas instead, despite the two-time major winner playing well below his typically high standards. 

It led to accusations that the US team was just a 'boys' club'. 

Speculation will continue to grow that Woods take charge of the US team when the Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in Ireland for the 2027 contest.

It will mark the 100th anniversary of the first playing of the Ryder Cup. 

Adare Manor is also owned by his good friend JP McManus. 

The 2025 Ryder Cup will be played over 26-28 September. 

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