In a shocking twist that shocked the golf world—and even Keegan Bradley himself—the PGA of America hand-picked Bradley to captain the USA workforce at subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Earlier than the announcement, many speculated that Tiger Woods would lead Crew USA on the Black Course, the place he received the 2002 U.S. Open. However Woods turned down the supply a couple of weeks in the past. He gave his purpose why in an announcement delivered Tuesday by Julius Mason from the PGA of America:
“With my new obligations to the tour and time commitments concerned, I felt I couldn’t commit the time to Crew USA and the gamers required as a captain,” Woods mentioned.
“That doesn’t imply I wouldn’t need to captain a workforce sooner or later. If/once I really feel it’s the proper time, I’ll put my hat within the ring for the committee to resolve.”
Whether or not Woods will nonetheless have a task on the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup workforce stays to be seen.
“I’ve informed him he may be as concerned as he needs to be,” Bradley mentioned Tuesday in New York.
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“All of us look as much as Tiger; his opinion means quite a bit to us. Being in workforce rooms with Tiger, the general public doesn’t understand how vital that is to him. It’s every little thing. He lives and breathes [the Ryder Cup]. It reveals you the way a lot he cares by turning this place down as a result of he didn’t really feel he might put in what he wanted to do along with his obligations and what’s happening with the tour.”
The PGA Tour welcomed Woods to its Coverage Board final August. Since then, the 15-time main winner has helped the tour safe a $1.5 billion funding from the Strategic Sports activities Group (SSG), a consortium of American sports activities house owners that features John Henry of the Boston Pink Sox, Arthur Clean of the Atlanta Falcons, and Steve Cohen of the New York Mets, amongst others.
Woods has additionally been important in negotiating a take care of the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF)—LIV Golf’s beneficiary. Talks between the PGA Tour and the PIF stay ongoing, which explains why Woods didn’t need to decide to the captaincy.
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That mentioned, Bradley felt obligated to contact Woods for his mentorship and his approval.
“I wanted to speak to Tiger earlier than accepting the function. I needed to ensure I [could do it]. I needed to listen to from him,” Bradley added.
“[Over the last two weeks,] I’ve spoken to Tiger a bunch. I talked to him this morning on the telephone. He’s been very useful. Tiger has all the time been actually useful to me. He’s an excellent voice to listen to, and he’s been nothing however — he’s been reaching out to me and serving to me, which has been wonderful.”
Although Woods won’t function captain, it seems that he’ll nonetheless play a task—no matter whether or not he returns as an official vice-captain. No person has a greater resume than him, though his Ryder Cup report isn’t as sturdy accurately. Nonetheless, Woods’ presence—on the bottom at Bethpage or through telephone from Florida—will consequently assist Bradley and the People as an entire.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
