John Daly hopes to join Team USA at the 2027 Ryder Cup and envisions Tiger Woods as a potential captain.
In an exclusive interview with Hard Rock Bet, John Daly shared his aspirations to be part of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 2027. Despite being a two-time major champion, Daly remains the only major winner since the Ryder Cup’s inception in 1927 to have never participated in the event. At 59, he still sees a slim chance of joining the team in a leadership role, though he admits it’s unlikely he’ll be named captain at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Tiger Woods as captain: Daly’s dream scenario
“I’d love to be captain someday, but that’s probably never going to happen,” Daly said. Still, he shared his vision of Tiger Woods leading the team. “Tiger would be an incredible captain,” he added. “I’d love to be a co-captain or just be part of the team in any way.”
While Daly’s candidacy as vice-captain may seem far-fetched, his relaxed personality could bring a fresh dynamic to Team USA. “I’d love to bring my ideas and hopefully help the guys,” he said. “It’s something I’ve dreamed of since winning the PGA Championship in 1991.” Daly also expressed disappointment over not being selected in the past, saying he felt he deserved a spot twice, but “it just didn’t happen.”
Patriotism and team unity fuel Daly’s motivation
For Daly, any role with the Ryder Cup team would be a meaningful nod to his patriotic spirit. “I think our team needs to come together more like a family and fully stand behind the United States of America, instead of thinking about what we personally get out of it,” he said. “I just want the Ryder Cup trophy.”
John Daly remains one of America’s most beloved golfers, known for his booming drives and colorful personality. He won the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open Championship. Nicknamed “Long John,” Daly is the only major champion never to have played in a Ryder Cup. Despite his reputation as golf’s “enfant terrible”—drinking beer from paper cups and chain-smoking during his first major—his patriotic fervor hasn’t gone unnoticed in the U.S.