Speculations about Tiger as team captain, Scheffler injury-free, fun with DP World Tour and the Kordas. The Back Nine.
At the start of the year, a bit of speculation is allowed, often disguised as predictions, a popular discipline in early January. The colleagues at the renowned US portal The Fried Egg made a bold claim about the upcoming golf year: The PGA of America will offer Tiger Woods the role of captain for the Ryder Cup 2027 trip to Ireland, but the 50-year-old will politely decline. He prefers to lead the US team when it’s a home event. The GOAT as skipper for the continental contest on home soil would likely cause unprecedented fan hype in the US.
It would be Woods’ second refusal, having already declined for 2025 at Bethpage Black. This led to the appointment of Keegan Bradley, who has since carried the weight of three traumas: the Medinah 2012 defeat and non-selection for Rome 2023 among them. Woods’ decision is understandable — why give up home advantage, statistically almost nonexistent, and risk tarnishing his record away, especially given the challenging outlook for the US team? The last American win in Europe dates back to 1993 at The Belfry in England.
His counterpart at Adare Manor might be Luke Donald, who has soundly beaten the US skipper twice. This leaves the PGA of America with a dilemma, as few others present themselves for the captain’s role. Will Keegan Bradley have another shot? Medinah loser Davis Love III was given a second chance in 2016, also at home. Well, speculation is fair game. Additional thoughts from \”Fried Egg\” include:
McIlroy and teammate Keegan: It’s complicated
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