In light of recent events, Tiger Woods will not serve as captain for Team USA at the upcoming Ryder Cup. He officially resigned from the position on Wednesday, choosing to take a break from golf after pleading not guilty to a drunk driving charge. Last week, Woods had a car accident involving his SUV, which ran into a trailer and flipped over near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida.
The decision by the PGA of America wasn’t unexpected, given the tumultuous moments leading up to Woods’ arrest on Friday.
“The PGA of America fully supports Tiger Woods as he takes time to focus on his health and well-being,” a statement indicated. “We applaud Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and respect his decision to step away.” They confirmed that Woods will not captain the team.
Woods mentioned on Tuesday night that he would be stepping back indefinitely “to undergo treatment and focus on his health.” An attorney for Woods, Douglas Duncan, filed a motion asking a judge for permission for Woods to travel abroad for “comprehensive inpatient treatment.” He noted that doctors recommended this due to the golfer’s “urgent need for a level of care” that requires a setting not available in the U.S., linked to privacy issues and complex health needs.
“Ongoing medical testing and public scrutiny could hinder his treatment and lead to setbacks,” Duncan stated.
The motion was approved by Martin County Court Judge Darren Steele, though it didn’t specify where the inpatient facility would be located.
Woods had previously sought treatment at a facility in Mississippi in January 2010, following the public revelation of extramarital affairs. His attorney also mentioned that Woods had sought treatment at another clinic after a 2017 DUI arrest.
“I am dedicated to taking the necessary time to become healthier, stronger, and more focused, personally and professionally,” Woods expressed in a statement.
Interestingly, Woods had declined the role of Ryder Cup captain on a previous occasion, waiting until the summer of 2024 to inform the PGA of America he didn’t have the bandwidth for it. Consequently, Keegan Bradley will be chosen for the captaincy a little over a year before the 2025 event, which will take place in Long Island, New York, where Europe was recently victorious.
Three members of the Ryder Cup committee—Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Bradley—are currently participating in the Masters, marking the first major tournament of the year.
On a separate note, Luke Donald has agreed to lead Europe for a third consecutive year, having won the last two Ryder Cups. Notably, no captain has ever managed to win three in a row.
