Revealed: Why Tiger Woods rejected the chance to become US Ryder Cup captain

Stewart Cink has revealed Tiger Woods turned down the chance to captain the 2025 United States Ryder Cup team for a multitude of reasons following news that Keegan Bradley has been confirmed as the next skipper at Bethpage Black. 

Cink, who himself was denied a first Ryder Cup captaincy, confirmed Woods had been the No.1 target for the PGA of America ever since Zach Johnson led the stars and stripes to a tough five-point loss at Marco Simone in Rome. 

Woods, 48, was said to have been keen to captain the US Ryder Cup team in New York but that his tireless work to help the PGA Tour thrash out its ongoing deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) was ultimately a big factor in him rejecting the PGA's offer. 

Other reasons Woods has turned down such an opportunity include him still recovering from his injuries, his new TGL starting up with Rory McIlroy in early 2025, as well as the simple fact he is still driven to improve his game and play in a lot more tournaments next season. 

Woods has only played in four tournaments so far in 2024, only completing 72 holes once when finishing last of those that made the cut at The Masters.

The former World No.1 will compete in his fifth tournament of the season at The Open at Royal Troon, Scotland, from 18-21 July.

Cink, who won the 2009 Open, even left the door open that Woods has not yet given up hope of even competing in the next US Ryder Cup team.

While a long shot, you just never know. 

Speaking to a pool of reporters ahead of this week's Scottish Open, Cink said: 

“I thought he [Woods] would have first run at it and he has. 

"It doesn’t surprise me that he’s turned it down 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."

Woods reportedly turned down the captaincy around the same time that Seth Waugh stepped down as head of the PGA, according to Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig, who first broke news of Bradley being named captain. 

There is some anticipation Woods could skipper the 2027 US Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor in Ireland, especially as his good friend JP McManus owns the venue.

PGA of America President John Lindert officially confirmed the appointment of Bradley as 2025 US Ryder Cup captain on Monday 8 July. 

Many consider the appointment of Bradley as something of a shock, especially given Woods had been the frontrunner for the position for a solid nine months.

Other names that were in the mix for the role included Cink, Fred Couples and Davis Love III. 

But the PGA have sided with Bradley, who now becomes the 31st US captain since the Ryder Cup's inception in 1927.

He made made his Ryder Cup debut in 2012 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, where he won his first three matches and finished with a 3-1-0 record. 

Bradley, 38, also competed in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Scotland.

Bradley's Ryder Cup record reads 4-3-0 including 2-1-0 in foursomes and 2-0-0 in fourball.

Some consider Bradley was a tad unfortunate to miss out on a captain's pick from Johnson last year. 

But Bradley now controls everything for 2025. 

"I am proud and excited to name Keegan Bradley as captain of the 2025 United States Ryder Cup Team,” said Lindert, PGA Director of Golf at The Country Club of Lansing. 

"Keegan’s past Ryder Cup experience, strong relationships and unwavering passion for this event will prove invaluable as he guides the US Team over the next year and a half. 

"We are confident that with Keegan at the helm, the 2025 US Ryder Cup Team will compete at Bethpage with the same confidence and determination that has defined his career."

Bradley, who won his sole major title to date at the 2011 US PGA, said: 

"I am incredibly honored to accept this opportunity to captain the United States Team at the 2025 Ryder Cup.

"I would like to thank the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for their trust in me as we embark on this journey to Bethpage Black.

"My passion and appreciation for golf’s greatest team event have never been stronger. The Ryder Cup is unlike any other competition in our sport, and this edition will undoubtedly be particularly special given the rich history and enthusiastic spectators at this iconic course. I look forward to beginning preparations for 2025."

Bradley, who is currently ranked 19th in the world, has not won on the PGA Tour since picking up his sixth title at the Travelers Championship in May 2023.

He has come close to adding a seventh PGA Tour title this season though with a pair of T2s at the Sony Open and Charles Schwab Challenge.