Tiger Woods ‘can’t free himself’ to become US Ryder Cup captain in 2025

Tiger Woods may not captain the U.S. team at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York, but he has not ruled out taking on that responsibility in the future.

In a statement read Tuesday at a news conference introducing 2025 U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, PGA of America senior director Julius Mason, Woods said his obligations to the PGA Tour Policy Board and the PGA Tour Enterprises Board of Directors prevented him from devoting as much time to his job as necessary.

Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig reported Monday that Woods turned down the captaincy, which was decided by a committee of three players (2023 captain Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas) and three PGA of America officials.

Woods had been a favorite for the position, but said in May that his time and focus was on his involvement in the PGA Tour-Saudi Arabia PIF deals. He could still be involved in the 2025 Ryder Cup if Bradley wanted to use his experience in an advisory role.

Woods was captain of the 2019 Presidents Cup team and served as an assistant at the 2016 Ryder Cup and 2017 Presidents Cup, all three events ending in U.S. victory.

Woods has not played since missing the cut last month at the U.S. Open at No. 2 Pinehurst in North Carolina, marking the sixth time he has missed a cut or withdrawn from a major championship in his last nine starts. Woods is expected to return later this month for the British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland.