The fallout of the United States’ Ryder Cup defeat has unexpectedly opened the door for Tiger Woods to be named team captain in 2027.
Woods, a 15-time major champion, is the +350 joint betting favorite to become Team USA captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup, according to William Hill.
The news comes after 2025 captain Keegan Bradley admitted “he might never get over” his team’s 15-13 defeat to Team Europe at Bethpage Black in August.
2018 Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk is co-favorite alongside Woods at +350, followed by Brandt Snedeker (+400), Steve Stricker (+400) and Webb Simpson (+400).
Bradley’s price dropped to +500 following his admission, while Kevin Kisner (+500) and Gary Woodland (+600) are the only other candidates shorter than 10/1.
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The Ryder Cup returns to European soil in 2027, with Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland set to play host. The United States has not won a Ryder Cup based in Europe since 1993, when Tom Watson captained the Americans to a 15-13 victory at The Belfry in England.
Woods’ status as betting favorite raises questions about his physical capacity for the job, after the 39-year-old Bradley admitted traversing around Bethpage for three days made him “physically exhausted.”
The 49-year-old Woods recently announced on social media that he underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in his spine. The news comes after the 82-time PGA Tour winner was sidelined for the entire 2025 season with a ruptured Achilles suffered while training in March.
The setback marks the 33rd injury of Woods’ legendary career, with no timetable set for his return to the course.
Woods’ last appearance in a competitive tournament came at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon, where he finished 14-over and missed the cut.
Woods did participate in TGL, an indoor golf league he founded alongside Rory McIlroy and executive Mike McCarley, in early 2025 prior to his season-ending injury.
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His team Jupiter Links GC, composed of Woods, Tom Kim, Max Homa and Kevin Kisner, finished 1-4, good for fifth out of six places in the standings.
Ahead of the 2026 TGL season, Woods confirmed he will be in attendance to support his teammates but it seems increasingly unlikely he will tee it up in a match.
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