Speculations about Tiger as captain, Scheffler injury-free, fun with DP World Tour and the Korda siblings. The Back Nine.
At the start of the year, a bit of speculation is allowed. Some disguise it as a prediction, a popular discipline in early January. The colleagues from the renowned US portal The Fried Egg have boldly suggested that the PGA of America will offer Tiger Woods the captaincy for the 2027 Ryder Cup trip to Ireland, but the 50-year-old politely declines. He prefers to lead the US team when playing at home. The GOAT as skipper in a continental competition on home soil: this would likely explode all fan excitement ever experienced in US golf.
Either way, it would be Woods’ second refusal after already declining the 2025 event at Bethpage Black. This led to the appointment of Keegan Bradley, who since the 2012 Medinah loss and exclusion for Rome 2023, carries a third trauma. However, it is a reasonable decision from Tiger’s side. Why would he give up the home advantage — statistically almost non-existent — and risk tarnishing his record in an away command event where chances are slim? The last US win in Europe was in 1993 at England’s The Belfry.
Moreover, his opponent at Adare Manor might be Luke Donald, who has twice outwitted US captains. This again poses a dilemma for the PGA of America. Few are willing for the captain’s job otherwise. It’s not like Keegan Bradley might get another shot — Medinah loser Davis Love III got a second chance in 2016, at home. Well, speculation is allowed…
McIlroy and Teammate Keegan: It’s Complicated
Strange situation: Boston Common won their first match in Tomorrow’s Golf League, thanks partly to putts from Michael Thorbjornsen, replacing Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama. Last Friday at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, the team faced Los Angeles and also dealt with internal tensions. Rory McIlroy and teammate Keegan Bradley had to keep a good face despite a strained relationship dating from the Bethpage Ryder Cup.
Ever since McIlroy was abusively targeted by some US fans, Bradley downplayed the hostility as simply ‘very passionate.’ They allegedly reconciled, but before Boston Common’s first appearance in the TGL second season, disputes resurfaced.