Selecting the next American captain for the Ryder Cup has been a more complicated and prolonged process than anticipated. The PGA of America will finally reveal its choice at a press conference scheduled for Tuesday at the NASDAQ building in New York. The upcoming matches will take place from September 26-28, 2025, at Bethpage Black on Long Island.
Traditionally, the American Ryder Cup captain is chosen at least 18 months before the event, but this time the decision has been delayed. Much of the hold-up has been due to ongoing discussions with Tiger Woods, the initial top pick for the role. However, speculation surrounding Woods has dwindled recently, with Woods mentioning in May at the PGA Championship that they are still figuring out the specifics of his potential captaincy and whether he has the time to commit fully.
Woods, who holds an influential position on the PGA Tour board, has been heavily involved in negotiations with the Saudi investors of LIV Golf through the PGA Tour Enterprises board where he serves as vice chairman. With Woods seemingly stepping back from the captaincy, there is now an unexpected void in the lineup of potential captains, disrupting the traditional timeline.
One notable candidate, Phil Mickelson, was previously seen as a strong contender due to his ties to matches at Bethpage Black in 2025. However, his involvement with LIV Golf and subsequent suspension by the PGA Tour have overshadowed his candidacy, leading to a shift in support from top players. Several other contenders, such as Stewart Cink and Fred Couples, are being considered, with Couples’ close relationship with Woods potentially being a factor should he be selected.
Despite the unanticipated delay in naming a captain, the PGA of America remains confident in their process. In the previous Ryder Cup, the European team only appointed Luke Donald as captain 14 months before the event due to unforeseen circumstances, and the event was successful for Europe. This new captain will lead the American team at Bethpage Black, taking over from the European victory at Marco Simone.
