Former PGA Tour caddie John Wooden has been named group supervisor for USA’s Ryder Cup group, though it stays unclear who will function the house captain at Bethpage Black.
Wooden has caddied for 5 totally different gamers throughout six Ryder Cups, served as a group assistant in the course of the 2018 defeat at Le Golf Nationwide and attended the final two contests as an on-course commentator for NBC Sports activities.
The brand new function will see Wooden work on all ‘strategic and operational issues’ associated to USA’s Ryder Cup facet, alongside the – as but – unnamed captain, their backroom employees and PGA of America senior administration.
Wooden’s place will see him concerned in participant choice, recruitment, motivational methods, logistical coordination and ‘fostering a constructive group atmosphere’ for the biennial occasion, happening subsequent September in New York and stay on Sky Sports activities.
“Truly a dream job,” Wooden mentioned. “There may be nothing, and I imply nothing, in my skilled profession, that I’ve been extra keen about than the Ryder Cup.
“I am honoured to work alongside my friends from the PGA of America, the PGA Ryder Cup committee, and future Ryder Cup captains, vice-captains and team members to help our captains and teams get ready to compete in one of the greatest sporting events the world has ever seen.”
PGA of America chief government Seth Waugh mentioned: “His [Wood’s] years of expertise in home and worldwide group competitions in addition to his deep understanding of match play dynamics will probably be an amazing asset as we create a strategic plan that delivers success in any respect future Ryder Cups.
John Wooden has been named group supervisor for USA’s Ryder Cup facet
“I’m not sure that we could have invented a better fit for this role in terms of experience, enthusiasm and relevance.”
Who will probably be Group USA’s subsequent captain?
Tiger Woods has been closely linked as a future Ryder Cup captain, having made eight appearances for Group USA and likewise beforehand been a vice-captain at Hazeltine in 2016, and revealed forward of The Masters he was in discussions with the PGA of America.
Group USA have nonetheless not introduced who will function captain for the following version in New York, with Woods – who can also be closely concerned within the PGA Tour’s discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund – hinting previous to the PGA Championship that he was nonetheless uncertain whether or not he would be capable to decide to captaincy.
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Two-time Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III mentioned final yr that he aimed to speak Tiger Woods in to turning into the following captain for 2025
“We’re still talking,” Woods defined at Valhalla. “There’s nothing that has been confirmed yet. We’re still working on what that might look like. Also whether or not I have the time to do it.”
Matt Kuchar – who Wooden caddied for within the 2016 Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine – Webb Simpson and Stewart Cink are among the many different names prone to be thought-about for Group USA’s captaincy, ought to Woods elect in opposition to taking the function.
Former world No 1 Luke Donald will function Europe’s captain for a second time, having led Europe to a 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome final September. Donald received all 4 Ryder Cups he performed in and served as a vice-captain for 2 editions.
Sky Sports activities will proceed to be the house of the Ryder Cup, with all three days of the 2025 solely stay. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour and extra with NOW.
