Zach Johnson suggests what Tiger Woods was actually like as playing captain at the Presidents Cup in  2019

While Keegan Bradley is looking to become the first Ryder Cup playing captain in more than 60 years, he would be able to get a slightly better idea of what the role would involve by speaking to Tiger Woods.

There looks to be a genuine possibility of Keegan Bradley playing on his own team at the 2025 Ryder Cup. Bradley is currently inside the top 12 in the qualification standings, and his win at Travelers Championship felt significant.

Of course, the decision will not be a simple one. Captaincy appears to take over a player’s life for the best part of two years. So it takes something special to perform both roles on a stage as large as the Ryder Cup.

While the Presidents Cup is not as prestigious, Tiger Woods will have an idea of the discussions Bradley will currently be having, with the 15-time major champion picking himself for the 2019 team which headed to Royal Melbourne.

Zach Johnson issues his verdict on Tiger Woods as a playing captain at the Presidents Cup

Woods played three sessions that week in Australia, winning three points. USA, meanwhile, overturned a deficit before the final day to retain the trophy.

Zach Johnson was a vice-captain for that event. And speaking to Golf Channel, he explained what was so impressive about Woods’ leadership.

“Phenomenal week down in Australia, a trying week when you compound time change and acclimation and all that, which is obvious, we knew that. The main thing that I remember there, and I knew it beforehand, but it was really brought to light that week is really how well, how efficient, how effective Tiger is with compartmentalising. The man is able to essentially wear two different hats at any beck and call,” he said.

Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
“Now when it was time to be a captain and be a leader, which he did phenomenally, he wore that hat and he did it great. Oftentimes, just by example. Oftentimes, verbally and around the team. But when it was time to go and compete, he shifted over and it was like a switch went off. We’ve all seen it, that’s what I remember and that was the most impressive thing about it. He led by example with both hats as a leader and as a competitor, that trickled down to the whole team and obviously we had success there in the end.

“Trying week, hard week, but what a great week. And having Tiger lead us, lead those players was inspirational.”

Zach Johnson asked whether he could have handled being a playing captain at the Ryder Cup

Johnson, of course, got the chance to take on the top job during the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Ultimately, it proved to be a pretty miserable week for the visitors, with a final day fightback making the scoreline look a lot more respectable.

One of the big calls he made beforehand was to leave out Bradley in favour of Justin Thomas. In fairness to Thomas, he was one of USA’s better players that week.

Johnson was asked about whether he could ever see himself handling the demands of being a playing captain that week. And he suggested that he would really struggle.

“That’s a massive hypothetical. I could not [picture being a playing captain in Rome] personally. But again, I wasn’t playing near the level Keegan was playing then or now. No one’s surprised by that level, we’re talking about a stalwart in our game,” he said.

“No, I cannot. I say that, it’s hypothetical. I don’t know what would have transpired if that was the case. This year, they’re going to have difficult choices regardless if he’s playing or not. But ultimately, I firmly trust any and all decisions that they’ll be making.”

Bradley is now in a very tough position. He will know that if USA do become the first home team to lose since 2012, whichever decision he made on his own role will come under incredible scrutiny.