Tiger? Phil? Keegan again? The battle to be America’s next Ryder Cup captain is already brewing – here are the frontrunners, the dark horses, and the names the PGA of America just can’t ignore.
After a disappointing result at Bethpage, Team USA’s attentions turn to the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. The US team faces the challenge of selecting a leader who can inspire a group of players who have struggled to match the European team’s unity. Let’s explore the top candidates – and why one man has taken his hat out of the ring…
Keegan Bradley
Bradley, a 2025 rookie captain, faced significant challenges during his leadership. Despite his passion and commitment, the team struggled, and some of his decisions faced criticism.
A final day fightback made things respectable, but may not be enough to secure him a second term.
Tiger Woods
Woods, a veteran of eight Ryder Cups, previously declined the 2025 captaincy due to other commitments. However, he’s still hotly tipped to take the role at some point.
Woods has expressed interest in the role, stating, “I’m ready to lead if called upon”.
His record as a player was surprisingly poor, but the greatest player of a generation would have the respect of everyone on his team and could be an intimidating force for the opposition.
Phil Mickelson
No American has played in more Ryder Cups than Phil Mickelson. Across 12 appearances, he became the heartbeat of the US side, a fiery competitor whose influence in the team room was often as important as his play on the course.
On paper, he’s a captain-in-waiting: six major titles, iconic Ryder Cup memories, and a deep understanding of what it takes to lead a group of strong personalities. But the reality is more complicated. Mickelson’s public split from the PGA Tour and his prominent role in LIV Golf have cast doubt on whether the PGA of America would ever hand him the captaincy. His controversial comments during the early stages of the LIV saga also did his reputation few favors.
“My Ryder Cup involvement is over,” he said recently. “I’m happy being a spectator and rooting for Team USA.”
Jim Furyk
Furyk has a long-standing association with the Ryder Cup, having participated in nine consecutive events and captained the 2018 team.
His recent role as a vice-captain in the 2025 Ryder Cup underscores his ongoing involvement and commitment to the cause. He also captained the USA team to a resounding victory at the 2024 Presidents Cup.
Furyk’s analytical approach and calm demeanor make him a respected figure among players, positioning him as a potential candidate for the 2027 captaincy. Having lost once away from home already though, might make the selectors look elsewhere.
Brandt Snedeker
Snedeker played well in his two Ryder Cups, including a perfect 3-0-0 record in America’s emphatic 17-11 at Hazeltine in 2016.
He appears to be being shaped for a Ryder Cup captaincy. He was one of Bradley’s vice-captains at Bethpage and will captain USA at the 2026 Presidents Cup, having been a vice-captain in 2024.
Steve Stricker
Steve Stricker captained the US team in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, leading them to a dominant victory. He served as a vice-captain three straight Ryder Cups before that and again in 2023. He wasn’t a vice-captain in 2025, which might suggest his ties to the Ryder Cup are loosening, but if the USA want a proven captain with plenty of experience, it’s hard to look past Stricker.
Webb Simpson
Simpson played in three Ryder Cups and was the first vice-captain named by Keegan Bradley for 2025, which could be a sign he’s a front-runner for captaincy in the near future. Bradley praised Simpson’s ability to connect with players and his strategic insights, which are invaluable in the high-pressure environment of the Ryder Cup.
His three Ryder Cup appearances all ended in defeat, but he’d love nothing more than the chance to right those wrongs as captain.
Conclusion
Keegan Bradley may be given a second shot, a notion that seemed implausible before the USA’s Sunday singles fightback at Bethpage.
If not, Steve Stricker seems the most likely option. He’s been part of every Ryder Cup set-up in one form or another for more than a decade and has the trust of the players and the suits.
Jim Furyk has all the experience in the world, but his Paris captaincy left scars that haven’t fully healed, and it would be a hard sell to hand him the job again.
As for Tiger Woods, something tells me his captaincy – if and when it comes – will be a home Ryder Cup.
When will the next Ryder Cup captains be announced?
There’s no set date when captains will be announced. If Keegan Bradley is to keep the job, the announcement may come fairly soon. If it’s anyone else, they probably won’t be announced until 2026.
About the author
Contributing Editor (mainly contributing unwanted sarcasm and iffy golf takes, to be honest)
He’s played golf with tour pros and celebrities including Greg Norman, Charley Hull, Matt Wallace, Long Driver World Champion Joe Miller, and Rob Brydon, watched The Open with Gary Player, and had a pull-up contest with Rory McIlroy. He’s interviewed countless tour pros and will always have a soft spot for Tommy Fleetwood.
