2025 Ryder Cup: Keegan Bradley invites Tiger Woods to be ‘as involved as he wants’ on United States team

 

In a twist that has left the golf world buzzing, Keegan Bradley, the newly appointed United States captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup, has extended an intriguing invitation to the legendary Tiger Woods. This unexpected development comes after Woods, embroiled in high-stakes negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund as part of his new role on the PGA Tour Policy Board, withdrew his name from consideration for the captaincy.

 

Woods’ decision to step back from the captaincy was not taken lightly. “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 shared in a statement to the PGA of America. “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.”

 

The announcement sent shockwaves through the golf community. Woods, a 15-time major champion, has always been a formidable presence in any capacity he takes on. His deep involvement in the inner workings of the PGA Tour has been instrumental in shaping its future, yet his heart still beats strongly for the Ryder Cup.

 

Despite stepping away from the captaincy, Woods’ influence on the 2025 Ryder Cup might be far from over. During his introductory press conference, Bradley revealed his intentions to keep Woods close, extending an open invitation for him to be as involved as he wishes. “I have told him he can be as involved as he wants to be,” Bradley said. “We haven’t talked about vice captains. … We, as players, we all look up to Tiger, and his opinion means a lot to us. Being in team rooms with Tiger, the public doesn’t realize how important this is to him. It’s everything. He lives and breathes this event.”

 

The mere possibility of Woods serving in a different role has fans and analysts speculating about the strategic advantages he could bring. Bradley is keen on having vice captains who could potentially step into the lead role in the future, making Woods an ideal candidate. Not only does Woods command respect among his peers, but his previous experience as a captain adds an invaluable dimension to any team.

 

Bradley himself is aiming to make history by becoming the first playing captain in the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963. At 38, Bradley is the youngest U.S. Ryder Cup captain since Palmer, who was 34 at the time. This ambition aligns with Woods’ own legacy as a playing captain. In 2019, Woods served as a playing captain at the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in Australia, leading the U.S. side to a hard-fought victory with a perfect 3-0-0 record.

 

This shared drive to compete while leading adds a layer of complexity and excitement to the upcoming Ryder Cup. “It shows you how much he cares by turning this position down because he didn’t feel like he could put in what he needed to do with all of his responsibilities with what’s going on with the Tour,” Bradley noted about Woods. “I’ve been grateful. Before I accepted this job, I needed to talk to Tiger. I wanted to make sure—I wanted to hear from him. We had a great conversation. I certainly need his input.”

 

Should Bradley extend a vice captaincy to Woods, it wouldn’t be the first time Woods has been a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup leadership room. In 2016, Woods served as a vice captain during the competition at Hazeltine, where the Americans successfully defended home soil with a resounding 17-11 victory.

 

The dynamic between Bradley and Woods, coupled with the historical significance of their roles, sets the stage for an electrifying Ryder Cup in 2025. As the golf world waits with bated breath, one thing is certain: Tiger Woods’ involvement, in any capacity, will be a game-changer for Team USA.