Davis Love III Says Tiger Woods Will Be 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain ‘If He Wants’

Love revealed that Woods is “the next logicial choice” to captain the American squad at Bethpage Black.

Tiger Woods is “the next logical choice” to captain the 2024 U.S. Ryder Cup team at Bethpage Black, according to Davis Love III.

It’s been less than a week since the Americans’ crushing loss to the Europeans in Rome, but there is already chatter about who will lead the squad in New York. 

Love, a two-time captain and one of Zach Johnson’s 2023 assistants, addressed the rumblings at his press conference ahead of this week’s PGA Tour Champions event, the Constellation Furyk & Friends.

According to the 21-time PGA Tour winner, the captaincy is Woods’s if he is willing to accept the role. 

“We've got to call Tiger Woods and ask him,” Love said. “I think if he wants—obviously Tiger's into a lot of stuff right now, but it's kind of his call, I would say. I hate to put pressure on him, but it's kind of his call. Obviously with some guys out, he's the next logical choice.”

Although Woods hasn’t captained a Ryder Cup, he is familiar with team-format leadership roles. In 2019, the 15-time major champion served as a playing captain at the Presidents Cup in Australia. He was a vice captain during the 2016 Ryder Cup, which the U.S. won at Hazeltine, and at the 2017 Presidents Cup. Additionally, Woods has been a “big help” behind the scenes in recent years, according to Love. 

Woods has a 13-21-3 Ryder Cup record as a player but may be in line for a future captaincy.  :: Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire

Love admitted that the only thing holding Woods back from accepting the job would be its steep time commitment. Although he is currently recovering from ankle surgery, Woods has a number of off-course responsibilities. The 15-time major champion recently joined the PGA Tour Policy Board, and the indoor prime-time golf league he spearheaded with Rory McIlroy kicks off in January. 

“You know, I remember a time when Tiger and Phil watched me do it and went, holy cow, I don't know if we want to put that much time and effort into it,” Love said. “It takes a lot out of you. Hopefully we can talk him into it.”

If Woods does accept the position, the 2025 Ryder Cup could be one of the rowdiest to date. The five-time Masters champion will only increase the hype around the Long Island, N.Y., venue, which is infamous for attracting boisterous fans.