USA to name Tiger Woods’ replacement as Ryder Cup captain with desperate attempt to follow Europe blueprint

Woods is out of the running, and the US has settled on a one-time major champion to lead

Jim Furyk is set to return as US Ryder Cup captain in 2027.

Following months of speculation over who will take the role for the Americans at Adare Manor, the Associated Press reported Friday that the honor will fall to the one-time major champion.

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Furyk is set to take the US captaincy for the 2027 Ryder CupCredit: Getty
Tiger Woods was understood to be the PGA of America’s first choice to take the captaincy after a disappointing defeat on home soil at Bethpage Black last September, under Keegan Bradley’s leadership.

But last month, the golf icon confirmed he was stepping away from the sport to seek treatment and focus on his health following a rollover car accident, which happened ahead of the 2026 Masters.

Instead, Furyk will take the US captaincy for the second time in his place.

Team USA take leaf from Europe’s Ryder Cup playbook

He will be the fourth American to get a second chance dating back to 1979, which is considered the modern era of the Ryder Cup — when continental Europe became part of it.

Furyk was the 2018 captain in Paris, which saw a dominant win by the Europeans, something that has become a regular occurrence in recent years.

His four captain’s picks went 2-10-0 at Le Golf National eight years ago, and Team USA lost by seven points.

Furyk was also assistant to Bradley in 2025 at Bethpage, and has been vice-captain or captain on every team since 2016.

The PGA of America appears to be taking a leaf out of Europe’s book by turning to him to lead again.

Europe’s captain has long been known, with Luke Donald retaining the role he has held for the past two Ryder Cups.

By turning back to Furyk, the US will have a familiar figure to guide them in Ireland, as they look to win the competition on foreign soil for the first time since 1993.

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The US are taking a leaf out of Europe’s Ryder Cup captaincy bookCredit: Getty
The 55-year-old also has experience leading the Americans to victory in another event.

As Presidents Cup captain in 2024, he oversaw Team USA’s tenth consecutive victory in the series at Royal Montreal Golf Club.

Furyk was also said to be a reliable voice as an assistant to Bradley in the last Ryder Cup.

According to AP, three people aware of the captaincy selection process said the Ryder Cup committee ‘chose Furyk once Tiger Woods removed himself from competition’ after his crash.

No official announcement has yet been made by the PGA of America.

What has Jim Furyk said about his Ryder Cup role in the past?

Furyk has previously discussed why he enjoys his Ryder Cup leadership roles.

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Furyk will hope to get his hands on the Ryder Cup as US captain in 2027Credit: Getty
“At the end of the day, I liked being the captain and I liked being the vice-captain as well because you just got so involved and got to see so much golf,” he told CBS Sports in 2023.

“I was pulling so hard for those two guys (the captain and vice-captain), but ultimately it was my job to go back to the captain and tell him here’s what I am seeing out there.

“‘Here’s who’s playing well, here’s who’s not, they would be better fit for this format, that format’. I just loved that part of it.

“I think every captain is surprised at how little golf they actually see during the week. I knew it, I was prepared for it and I was still shocked at how little golf I saw at the end of the week in Paris.”