While Tiger Woods won’t be playing at the Presidents Cup in 2026, he delivered an iconic moment as captain of Team USA in 2019.
The Americans line up at Medinah Country Club this week bidding for their 11th straight victory at the biennial event which has become hugely one-sided.
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The Presidents Cup begins at Medinah Country Club on ThursdayCredit: Getty
Team USA is captained by Brandt Snedeker with stars Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark and Cameron Young all on the roster.
Geoff Ogilvy is in charge of the International team, who are led by Si Woo Kim, Ryan Fox and Min Woo Lee.
Seven years ago, Woods delivered one of the most iconic moments in the history of the event, not on the course, but in a press conference.
Woods used third person to pick himself
That year at Royal Melbourne, Woods became just the second captain to play in the event.
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Hale Irwin was the first to do it back in 1994, leading the USA to a 20-12 victory at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
Arguably the greatest golfer of all time couldn’t resist poking fun at his dual responsibilities when finalizing the U.S. roster.
After selecting Tony Finau, Patrick Reed and Gary Woodland as his first three player picks, Woods suddenly pivoted into the third person.
“As captain, I’m going to choose Tiger Woods as the last player on the team,” Woods said on the Golf Channel broadcast.
“He’s made, what, nine Cups? He’s played in Australia twice in the Presidents Cup.
“So this will be his third appearance there as a player. And uh, I find it interesting I’m talking in third-person.”
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Woods joined Hale Irvin as Team USA captains to play in the Presidents CupCredit: Getty
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Woods announced himself as the final captains pick in third-personCredit: Getty
Woods proceeded to let out a laugh and Laura Neal from the PGA Tour said: “Third-person Tiger is now my favorite Tiger.”
What happened in the 2019 Presidents Cup?
Despite losing the opening Thursday fourball match, the International team won the session 4-1, just the fourth time in history they had led after the opening session.
They led the event right up until Sunday’s singles, where the USA completed a stunning rally.
Woods played the first match, sinking seven birdies in 16 holes to defeat Abraham Ancer, giving him a clean sweep of victories in the three matches he played – the only player without a loss or a tie in the competition.
The US would go on to take six of the 12 singles matches to win by a score of 16-14, their eighth straight victory.
Woods’ dominance both as a player and a captain remains a high-water mark for Team USA.
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Woods inspired a stunning day four comeback to give the USA their eighth straight victoryCredit: Getty
It proved that ‘Third-Person Tiger’ knew exactly what he was doing when he drafted himself and subsequently ignited one of golf’s greatest comebacks.