In a stunning twist that shocked the golf world—and even Keegan Bradley himself—the PGA of America hand-picked Bradley to captain america group at subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Earlier than the announcement, many speculated that Tiger Woods would lead Workforce USA on the Black Course, the place he received the 2002 U.S. Open. However Woods turned down the provide just a few weeks in the past. He gave his cause why in an announcement delivered Tuesday by Julius Mason from the PGA of America:
“With my new duties to the tour and time commitments concerned, I felt I couldn’t commit the time to Workforce USA and the gamers required as a captain,” Woods stated.
“That doesn’t imply I wouldn’t need to captain a group 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 determine.”
Whether or not Woods will nonetheless have a job on the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup group stays to be seen.
“I’ve instructed him he will be as concerned as he needs to be,” Bradley stated Tuesday in New York.
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“All of us look as much as Tiger; his opinion means rather a lot to us. Being in group rooms with Tiger, the general public doesn’t understand how essential that is to him. It’s all the things. He lives and breathes [the Ryder Cup]. It reveals you ways 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 together with his duties and what’s occurring 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 homeowners that features John Henry of the Boston Purple Sox, Arthur Clean of the Atlanta Falcons, and Steve Cohen of the New York Mets, amongst others.
Woods has additionally been very important in negotiating a cope with 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 stated, Bradley felt obligated to contact Woods for his mentorship and his approval.
“I wanted to speak to Tiger earlier than accepting the function. I wished to ensure I [could do it]. I wished 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 cellphone. He’s been very useful. Tiger has at all times been actually useful to me. He’s an important 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.”
Though Woods won’t function captain, apparently he’ll nonetheless play a job—no matter whether or not he returns as an official vice-captain. No person has a greater resume than him, regardless that his Ryder Cup document isn’t as sturdy appropriately. Nonetheless, Woods’ presence—on the bottom at Bethpage or by way of cellphone from Florida—will consequently assist Bradley and the People as an entire.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
