Tiger Woods is ‘the next logical choice’ to captain Ryder Cup Team USA, claims Davis Love III, who insists the job is the 15-time major winner’s ‘if he wants’

• Team USA will look to regain the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, New York in 2025
• Davis Love III suggested Tiger Woods is next in line to captain the Americans 
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

Tiger Woods is next in line to captain team USA at the Ryder Cup, claims former leader Davis Love III. 

The United States suffered a crushing 16.5-11.5 defeat to Team Europe in Rome last week but it will look to bounce back at Bethpage Black in 2025 and who better to lead the Americans into battle than 15-time major winner Woods? 

And former captain Love appears to agree that the 47-year-old is the next logical choice to steer the ship. 

‘We’ve got to call Tiger Woods and ask him,’ Love said Thursday at the PGA Tour Champions’ Furyk & Friends, via NBC.

Love, who captained the US in 2012 and 2016 and has also served as an assistant captain four times, including last week at Marco Simone, suggested the job was Woods’ if he was up for it. 

Golfing icon Tiger Woods could be next in line to captain team USA at the Ryder Cup

Former captain Davis Love III (right) claimed Woods was the next logical choice for the job 

‘I think if he wants – obviously Tiger’s into a lot of stuff right now, but it’s kind of his call, I would say,’ Love said. ‘I hate to put pressure on him, but it’s kind of his call. Obviously, with some guys out, he’s the next logical choice.’

Phil Mickelson had long been penciled in to take charge of Team USA at Bethpage Black, but his LIV Golf defection and allegations of attempting to place a bet on the 2012 Ryder Cup have surely taken the eraser to his name.

Woods was nowhere near Rome, neither in a playing nor leadership capacity last week as injury keeps him away from the course. 

But, he has played in eight Ryder Cups, competing in 37 matches and finishing with a career record of 13 wins, 21 defeats and three halves.

However, Love appeared to cast doubt on whether Woods would be up to the challenge. 

‘I remember a time when Tiger and Phil watched me do it and went, “Holy cow, I don’t know if we want to put that much time and effort into it”,’ Love said. ‘It takes a lot out of you. Hopefully, we can talk [Woods] into it.’ 

Yet, Woods has already performed leadership duties, having been an assistant captain at Hazeltine in 2016. 

He was also absent from the USA’s 19-9 massacre at the 2021 tournament at Whistling Straits but still managed to deliver one of the most rousing rallying cries. 

Woods became the ultimate motivator, sending text messages to his fellow countrymen to encourage them to the dominant victory from the comfort of his couch. 

Phil Mickelson had long been penciled in to take charge of Team USA at Bethpage Black

Woods lifted the Presidents Cup as captain and player at Royal Melbourne in 2019 

One of the messages contained a particularly violent mental image to inspire his compatriots. 

With the USA having already established a significant 11-5 lead over Europe heading into Sunday singles, Woods texted captain Steve Stricker: ‘Now step on their necks.’

Woods continued his couch captaining last year during the Presidents Cup as he acted as Love III’s extra pair of eyes. 

Again absent from Quail Hollow, Woods regularly called the American captain to chip in with advice. Woods even hopped on team Zoom calls and crunched the numbers.

He’s also already proven to be a successful commander-in-chief, stepping into the role at the 2019 Presidents Cup.

In an iconic move, Woods picked himself to face Ernie Els’ international side and, not only did he lead the USA to a 16-14 victory scooping up the first point of the singles matches, he also was by far the best player at Royal Melbourne and the only one not to record a loss. 

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