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Team USA will not have Tiger Woods as captain at the upcoming Ryder Cup, after Woods’ latest controversy.
Woods officially declined the Ryder Cup captaincy on Wednesday as he steps away from golf activities after pleading not guilty to suspicion of driving under the influence. Woods’ SUV hit the back of a trailer and flipped onto its side last week on a residential road near his home on Jupiter Island, Florida.
The PGA of America’s Ryder Cup decision was no surprise given the chaotic past five days involving Woods since his arrest Friday.
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“The PGA of America fully supports Tiger Woods as he steps aside to focus on his health and well-being,” the statement said. “We commend Tiger for prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes to make such a personal decision.”
The PGA of America added that Woods “shared with us” that he would not be captain.
Woods released a statement Tuesday evening saying he was stepping away indefinitely “to seek treatment and focus on my health.”
A motion filed Wednesday by his attorney, Douglas Duncan, asked a judge that Woods be allowed to travel outside the country to begin “full hospital treatment.”
Duncan said Woods’ doctor’s recommendation was based on the golfer’s “complex clinical presentation and urgent need for a level of care that cannot be provided safely or effectively in the United States because his privacy has been repeatedly compromised.”
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“Continued medical examination and public exposure create significant barriers to one’s care and would result in setbacks and an inability to fully engage in treatment.”
Martin County Court Judge Darren Steele approved the motion, which did not specify where the inpatient treatment facility was located.
Woods sought treatment at an inpatient facility at a Mississippi clinic in January 2010 after he was caught in a series of extramarital affairs, and his agent said he sought treatment at another inpatient clinic after his arrest for drunken driving in 2017.
“I am committed to taking the time necessary to return to a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” Woods said in his statement.
Woods also turned down an offer to become Ryder Cup captain last time out, waiting until the start of summer 2024 to tell the PGA of America he didn’t have time. This led to Keegan Bradley being selected just over a year before the 2025 matches on New York’s Long Island, which Europe won.
Three players from the Ryder Cup committee – Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Bradley – are competing in the Masters, the first major tournament of the year.
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Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links Golf Club greets fans as he is introduced at the start of a TMRW Golf League (TGL) match against Boston Common Golf on January 27, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Luke Donald has already agreed to be captain for the third consecutive time for Europe, which has won the last two Ryder Cups. No captain has ever won three matches in a row.
