Tiger Woods has told the PGA that he will no longer captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2027, following his decision to take a break from golf after a car accident.
The decision, announced by the PGA of America on Wednesday, was expected given recent developments regarding Woods.
He was arrested Friday on suspicion of drunk driving after a car crash near his home in South Florida. Woods pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and later issued a statement announcing that he would retire indefinitely.
“This is what I need to do to prioritize my health and work toward a sustained recovery,” he said in a social media post.
Before his car accident, Woods was the favorite to lead the U.S. team in next year’s games at Adare Manor in Ireland.
“The PGA of America fully supports Tiger Woods’ retirement to focus on his health and well-being,” the association said in a statement. “During this time, we continue to think of Tiger and wish him strength, comfort, and recovery.”
“Tiger has informed us that he will not be captaining the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2027, and we support his decision. PGA will share further updates regarding the Ryder Cup captaincy as needed.”
Luke Donald was announced last month as European Ryder Cup captain for the third consecutive season.
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Golf Channel analyst and former professional golfer Brandel Chamblee says Tiger Woods’ decision to retire and seek help could signal a powerful new role as an elder statesman shaping the future of golf. Video credit: @GolfChannel
Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley believes people are running out of patience with Woods because he is in a “last chance bar” in terms of his golf career.
McGinley, who is participating in Sky Sports’ coverage of next week’s Masters, said Woods, 50, was unlikely to win another Main Tour tournament and was better suited to consolidate his current management role as chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competitions Committee.
Woods remained optimistic about his shot at another major victory in his most recent appearance at Augusta National in 2024, but his third-round 82 was the worst round of his professional major career and finished last among the players who made it through the weekend.
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Sky Sports News’ Jamie Weir reports that Tiger Woods will miss the Masters due to drink-driving charges stemming from a car crash, with the five-time champion taking a break from golf for medical treatment.
“I think a lot of people continue to think that way (about him fighting again),” former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart told Sky Sports News. “The guy is in his 50s now. He’s seen it all and done it all.
“It’s like watching an old boxing champion, an old legend, whose body has really overcome everything and comes back in the ring. I don’t think we’ll ever see something like that again, but in fairness to him, everyone is allowed to grow old!”
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