Team USA very nearly pulled off the greatest final-day comeback of all time in the 2025 Ryder Cup, but their superb performance in Sunday’s singles session was ultimately not enough to overcome Europe’s dominance in the foursomes and four-balls on Friday and Saturday.
Europe extends winning run
The result at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York, means the USA has now won only three of the last 12 Ryder Cups. By the time of the 2027 tournament, to be held at Adare Manor in Ireland, it will have been 34 years since their last away victory, which came at The Belfry in 1993.
While Team Europe has found success by keeping Luke Donald on as captain for back-to-back Ryder Cups, it seems highly unlikely Keegan Bradley will lead the USA again in two years. The 39-year-old has come under fire for several aspects of his captaincy in New York, not least sending out questionable pairings in the foursomes and four-balls.
A glimpse of hope for the Americans
Sunday’s dominant singles display, however, has offered Team USA reason to believe in the future. And for some, the prospect of one of golf’s all-time greats stepping in as captain is another reason to be optimistic.
Tiger Woods has long been tipped as a future Ryder Cup captain, given his standing in the game. Speaking on The Fried Egg Golf Podcast, PGA Tour pro Johnson Wagner told host Andy Johnson he believes Woods’ time has come ahead of other candidates, despite the fact the 14-time major champion was not present at Bethpage.
“I like Brandt (Snedeker), I like Webb (Simpson) a lot. I don’t know why Tiger didn’t do Bethpage. I’ve heard rumors he wants to do Adare Manor, possibly.”
Johnson Wagner backs Tiger Woods
When asked whether the PGA would appoint Woods as captain, potentially a one-time thing, for an away Ryder Cup, Wagner argued that scenario could actually make him more likely to accept.
“I don’t think they have a choice. I think he would way rather go abroad and be the first captain to win on foreign soil since 1993 than be a home captain where he’s supposed to win. The obvious answer is, we need Tiger.
“I think Tiger would be a great captain,” Wagner continued. “Let’s face it, he’s got the time to devote, he’s got the team in place to get him the right data. We need Tiger.”
Woods’ complicated Ryder Cup legacy
Despite an illustrious career, Woods never managed to bring his best golf to the Ryder Cup. His overall record stands at 13 wins, 21 losses and 3 ties across 37 matches. Incredibly, he only lifted the trophy once in the eight events he played, at Brookline in 1999, sitting out victories in the United States in 2008 and 2016.
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