Apparently it remains possible that Tiger Woods will tee it up at the Masters in a month’s time. Apart from proving whatever it might be to himself, it is hard to see much point in that (he hasn’t competed in a points-ranking tournament since the 2024 Open Championship), but as a five-times champion at Augusta National he has more than earned the right to choose. That week is also, apparently, the ‘soft’ deadline as to whether or not he decides to take up the option to be the captain of the US Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor next year. It is more of a moot point as to whether he has earned the right to keep the PGA of America hanging on the phone, awaiting his decision.
Woods was very much in the frame for the role at Bethpage Black last autumn. The word in mid-2024 was that if he didn’t want it then Stewart Cink was favourite to get the nod. Woods didn’t want it and eventually the decision was made to appoint Keegan Bradley, who had qualified to play on the team but instead opted to be a non-playing captain. Granted, hindsight is 20-20 and all that, but for sure that would be a couple of calls the United States would wish had been made differently. As for his impending decision, Woods said last week that his behind-the-scenes work with the PGA Tour means that “I’m trying to figure out if I can actually do this and serve the people that are involved and serve them at an honourable level.” None of that sounds like he’s especially eager.
Maybe that’s no wonder. And should they want him? His Ryder Cup record reads 13 wins, 21 losses and 3 halves. There was always the suspicion that he was not up for the event as much as many others were because he disliked the fact that in part he was at the mercy of how his partner played. In his prime, he would regularly refer to the fact that everyone knew Jack Nicklaus had won 18 major championships but, without looking it up, no one could recite Jack’s Ryder Cup record. Tiger’s, however, has become rather notorious: he has played in eight matches and been on the losing team in seven.
If Woods wants to be captain, I would have thought he may prefer the comparative comfort of a home match in 2029 rather than insert himself in the way of Luke Donald’s attempt in Ireland to lead Europe to a third consecutive triumph as captain. Indeed, Donald’s numbers at the Ryder Cup are in extraordinary contrast to those of Woods. His stats as a player show a record of 10-4-1. He was a player in four matches, and in every one he was a winner. By way of a footnote, Donald was also on the winning team in the two Walker Cup matches he played. Woods lost his one and only, which was in Wales.
Who knows which way he’ll jump but it would not be the biggest shock in golf next month Tiger if turned down the job. If he won the Masters, on the other hand, that would be the biggest shock in golf next month…