Tiger Woods made unprecedented move with awkward third-person announcement for Team USA

In the upcoming Presidents Cup, Keegan Bradley is set to step down from his role as assistant captain to participate as a player. This decision comes as Bradley prepares to captain Team USA at the next Ryder Cup, an opportunity that has sparked some debate among golf experts. Rory McIlroy, among others, has argued that serving as both player and captain is a challenging and potentially inadvisable dual role.

 

However, this perspective might not apply to every golfer, especially those with exceptional talents like Tiger Woods. Woods demonstrated the feasibility of such a role during the 2019 Presidents Cup, when he became the first player-captain since Hale Irwin in 1994.

 

Woods’ journey to the captaincy was marked by significant hurdles. After undergoing spinal fusion surgery in February 2017, there were doubts about his future in professional golf. Nevertheless, Woods campaigned for the captaincy position after the Presidents Cup held at Liberty National later that year. By the time the decision was announced in March 2018, Woods was in the midst of one of the most remarkable comebacks in sports history.

 

In the months leading up to his appointment, Woods not only returned to competitive golf but also achieved remarkable success. By November, he had secured two additional PGA Tour victories, tying the all-time record of 82 wins, and had claimed the Masters title. At 43 years old, Woods was positioned to become the first playing-captain in 25 years. His remarkable performance throughout the year made him a strong candidate to lead Team USA, despite having narrowly missed automatic qualification.

 

Woods’ unique situation led him to become the first captain in Presidents Cup history to select himself as a player. During a Golf Channel broadcast, Woods humorously referred to himself in the third person while announcing his own selection: “As captain, I’m going to choose Tiger Woods as the last player on the team. He’s made, what, nine Cups? He’s played in Australia twice in the Presidents Cup. So this will be his third appearance there as a player. And, uh, I find it interesting I’m talking in third-person.”

 

Balancing the responsibilities of both captain and player is no easy feat, but Woods handled both roles with remarkable skill. At the 2019 Presidents Cup held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, Woods played in three matches, winning all of them. His contributions were crucial, especially when the USA team faced the possibility of an unexpected defeat by the International team.

 

Woods, alongside Justin Thomas, secured vital points on Thursday and Friday, which proved instrumental in maintaining the USA’s competitive edge. On Saturday, Woods opted to bench himself to recharge for the crucial final day. He returned to lead the team in the Sunday Singles matches, where he faced Abraham Ancer of the International team. In a dramatic showdown, Woods made seven birdies in 16 holes, defeating Ancer 3&2 and significantly contributing to the USA’s comeback from a 10-8 deficit to clinch a 16-14 victory.

 

Woods’ winning putt against Ancer became iconic, partly due to a viral video showing him shaking hands with Ancer before the putt had even gone in. Although the clip was edited for dramatic effect, Woods’ decisive moment remains a testament to his prowess and leadership.

 

Fast forward to 2024, and the situation for Woods is markedly different. He was not considered for the Presidents Cup this year, and his close friend Justin Thomas also missed out on selection after captain Jim Furyk announced his wildcard picks. The International Team will host the event in Canada, with the matches set to begin on September 27.

 

Woods’ current condition reflects a challenging period in his career. Following a nearly fatal car accident in 2021, his competitive appearances have become infrequent and primarily limited to major tournaments and select PGA Tour events. Despite ongoing struggles with injuries and concerns about his competitive edge, Woods remains optimistic about his ability to win at the highest level. In a recent interview with talkSPORT.com at The Open in July, Woods affirmed his determination: “I’ll play as long as I can play and I feel like I can win the event.” When asked if his belief in his abilities had diminished due to recent poor finishes, Woods resolutely replied, “No.”

 

Thus, while Woods may no longer be competing in every event, his legacy and impact on the game of golf endure, illustrating both his remarkable resilience and enduring belief in his capabilities.