In what’s a primary for the Ryder Cup, the US group committee has created the brand new function of group supervisor for the 2025 matches in New York.
Regardless of having not but named a captain to the lead the US group subsequent 12 months, The PGA of America has introduced the appointment of six-time Ryder Cup caddie Mark Wooden to the brand new function of Workforce Supervisor.
Starting with the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, the US Ryder Cup Committee stated that Wooden will “work intently with the US group captain, vice captains, group members and PGA of America senior administration on all strategic and operational issues associated to the US Ryder Cup group”.
Wooden will present steering throughout a wide range of group administration areas together with participant choice, recruitment, motivational methods, logistical coordination and fostering a constructive group setting.
Wooden has served as a caddie for 4 US gamers in six Ryder Cups, working with Mark Calcavecchia in 2002; Chris Riley in 2004; Hunter Mahan in 2008, 2010 and 2014, and Matt Kuchar in 2016. He additionally labored as a group assistant in the course of the 2018 Ryder Cup in France.
Following his 20-plus 12 months profession as a caddie on the PGA Tour, Wooden joined NBC Sports activities’ golf protection as an on-course reporter in 2021. He lined the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy.
“We’re thrilled to have John be a part of our group as the brand new US Ryder Cup Workforce Supervisor,” stated PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “John is a passionate and devoted particular person. His years of expertise in home and worldwide group competitions in addition to his deep understanding of match play dynamics will probably be an amazing asset as we create a strategic plan that delivers success in any respect future Ryder Cups. I’m undecided that we might have invented a greater match for this function when it comes to expertise, enthusiasm and relevance.”
“There may be nothing, and I imply nothing, in my skilled profession, that I’ve been extra obsessed with than the Ryder Cup,” stated Wooden. “I’ve been blessed to be part of six Ryder Cup Groups as a caddie and two as an NBC Sports activities on-course reporter and I’ve treasured each single minute of these particular, memorable experiences.
“I’m honored to work alongside my mates from the PGA of America, the PGA Ryder Cup Committee, and future Ryder Cup Captains, Vice Captains and group members to assist our Captains and groups get able to compete in one of many biggest sporting occasions the world has ever seen. I’m grateful to NBC Sports activities for making it potential for me to tackle this function, really a dream job.”
Europe will as soon as once more be captained by Luke Donald in 2025, following what was seen as a textbook captaincy in Rome in 2023, when Europe loved a 16.5-11.5 victory.