John Daly hopes for a late Ryder Cup role in 2027 and praises Tiger Woods as a potential U.S. team captain.
In an exclusive interview with Hard Rock Bet, John Daly expressed his desire 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 never participate in the event. At 59, he still dreams of contributing to the team, possibly as captain or vice-captain, though he admits the chances are slim for a captaincy at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Tiger Woods as Captain: Daly’s Ideal Scenario
“I’d love to be captain one day, but it’s probably never going to happen,” Daly said. Still, he continued to dream, stating that he could easily envision Tiger Woods leading the U.S. team. Daly added that he would love to be part of the squad in any capacity. “Tiger would be an incredible captain,” he said. “I’d love to be vice-captain or just somehow involved with the team.”
While Daly’s bid for a vice-captain role may seem far-fetched, his presence could bring a relaxed and spirited energy to the American team. “I’d love to bring in some of my ideas and hopefully help the guys,” Daly said. “It would be a dream come true, something I’ve wanted since winning the PGA Championship in 1991.” He also noted that he felt he should have been selected for the team twice, but “it just didn’t happen.”
Patriotism and Team Spirit Drive Daly
For Daly, any involvement with the Ryder Cup team would be a meaningful consolation, especially given his strong patriotic values. “I think our team just needs to come together more like a family and fully support the United States of America, rather than thinking about what we get out of it personally,” he said. “I just want to win the Ryder Cup trophy.”
John Daly remains one of the most beloved figures in American golf. Known for his prodigious driving distance, he won the PGA Championship in 1991 and the Open Championship in 1995. Nicknamed “Long John,” Daly is still the only major winner never to have played in a Ryder Cup. Despite his reputation as golf’s “enfant terrible”—famously drinking beer and chain-smoking during his first major appearance—his patriotic fervor has not gone unnoticed in the U.S.