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Tiger Woods removes himself from Ryder Cup consideration
Our long national nightmare is over: The Tiger Woods Ryder Cup decision has been made.
The 38-year-old announced Wednesday that he was withdrawing himself from consideration for a spot in the Ryder Cup, ending months of speculation as to whether U.S. Captain Tom Watson would grant Woods a captain’s pick.
In a statement released on his website, Woods cited necessary rest for his lingering back issue as the reason for his absence in the biennial competition.
“I’ve been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They’ve advised me not to play or practice now…I plan to return to competition at my World Challenge tournament at Isleworth in Orlando, Florida, Dec. 1-7.”
This is the latest blow for Woods in a season where the former World No. 1’s on-course life has been crippled by his ailing back. Just a year ago, Woods won five PGA Tour events, entered the FedExCup Playoffs as the points leader and eventually captured PGA Tour Player of the Year honors.
Early in 2014, though, Woods’ back started flaring up, forcing him to withdraw from the Honda Classic during the final round and gut it out on Sunday at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in clear discomfort.
In March, Woods had surgery on his back, missed three months and looked every bit the rusty golfer since his return in July. The four events in that span, which amounted to two missed cuts, one withdrawal and a 69th place finish, only furthered his dismal 2014 record. In the end, Woods had one top-25 in seven starts and was 218th in the FedEx Cup standings.
What this means for the U.S. squad
The most relieved man on the planet has to be Tom Watson. It’s not necessarily the content of Woods’ words, rather the fact that the monumentally polarizing decision is in the captain’s hands no more.
Whatever calm facade Watson put on when the discussion of Woods and the Ryder Cup arose, his anxiety screamed through his words. In April he had all but guaranteed a spot to Woods. Then he said Woods would have to earn his way on. Last week, he basically left it up to Tiger to decide his fate.
Make up your mind, Tom!
At the very least, the American squad probably dodged a bullet. Woods showed no signs this Summer that he could contribute to a win for his country – he could hardly make a cut. Although the Americans remain massive underdogs, what if his American brethren do somehow dodge the European sword and return to the states as victors? Eyes will most certainly turn back towards Woods. In 21st century play, the American side would be 0-5 with Woods, 2-0 without him.
And that fact wouldn’t kick up a firestorm or anything.
Everyone knows about Woods’ poor Ryder Cup record (13-17-3 overall). His negative energy might eminate into his teammates’ conciousnesses. And he consistently carries the reputation of a man who just doesn’t give a lick about team play (a ridiculous thought by the way. You could certainly question Woods’ desire for this type of competition early in his career, but that apathy evaporated long ago. Here’s some proof. And more damning evidence. Oh, and this. Yep, definitely not caring).
He’s an easy target to pick on when it comes to America’s foibles in recent Ryder Cups. Woods was the game’s best player for 15-plus years, but couldn’t reach .500 in team competition. He also happened to be absent for the U.S.’s one 21st century triumph. That detail proved potent rather quickly, as writers and fans latched onto the concept that the team is better off without Woods.
Imagine if a Tiger-less squad achieves victory once again? Especially with the Americans facing their most daunting odds since 2006?
If you’re a future captain and Woods is a potential captain’s pick, good luck with that decision over a massive and boisterous chorus of dissent. We could hear some imploring that Woods should retire from Ryder Cup competition. Heck, even if the 38-year-old is No. 1 in the Ryder Cup standings, the U.S. only wins without him, maybe he should withdraw his name!
Of course, an American victory is a tremendous “if.” The team can’t even win with better talent, or a commanding 10-6 lead at home.
Woods’ absence in 2014 should be a boon for the squad. Just be prepared for a Tiger backlash if the winning formula once again ignores his existence.
I’m going to gush in this intro paragraph, to get the emo stuff done early. I’ve not pulled harder for a professional to win, than Cameron Young. I coach golf in New York state, and each spring, my best golfers head to a state championship in Poughkeepsie. I first saw Cameron there as a 9th grade student. I saw him three more times after that. I reconnecected with Coach Haas from Wake Forest, an old interview subject from my days on the Old Gold and Black, the Wake newspaper. He was there to watch Cameron. After four years at Wake Forest, Young won on the Korn Ferry Tour, made it to the big tour, almost won two majors, almost won five other events, and finally got the chalice about 25 minutes from the Wake campus. Congratulations, Cameron. You truly are a glass of the finest. #MotherSoDear
OK, let’s move on to the Tour Rundown. The major championship season closed this week in Wales, with the Women’s Open championship. The PGA Tour bounced through Greensboror, N.C., while the PGA Tour Americas hit TO (aka, Toronto) for a long-winded event. The Korn Ferry lads made a stop in Utah, one of just two events for that tour in August. The many-events, golf season is winding down, as we ease from summer toward fall in the northern hemisphere. Let’s bask in the glory of an August sunrise, and run down a quartet of events from the first weekend of the eighth month.
LET/LPGA @ Women’s Open: Miyu bends, but she doesn’t break
Royal Porthcawl was not a known commodity in the major tournament community. The Welsh links had served as host to men’s senior opens, men’s amateurs, and Curtis and Walker Cups in prior years, but never an Open championship for the women or the men. The last-kept secret in UK golf was revealed once again to the world this week, as the best female golfers took to the sandy stage.
Mao Saigo, Grace Kim, Maja Stark, and Minjee Lee hoped to add a second major title to previous wins this season, but only Lee was able to finish inside the top ten. The 2025 playing of the Women’s Open gave us a new-faces gallery from day one. The Kordas and Thitikulls were nowhere to be found, and it was the Mayashitas, Katsus, and Lim Kims that secured the Cymru spotlight. The first round lead was held at 67 by two golfers. One of them battled to the end, while the other posted 81 on day two, and missed the cut. Sitting one shot behind was Miyu Yamashita.
On day two, Yamashita posted the round of the tournament. Her 65 moved her to the front of the aisle, in just her fourth turn around a women’s Open championship. With the pre-event favorites drifting off pace, followers narrowed into two camps: those on the side of an underdog, and others hoping for a weekend charge from back in the pack. In the end, we had a bit of both.
On Saturday, Yamashita bent with 74 on Saturday, offering rays of hope to her pursuing pack. England’s Charley Hull made a run on Sunday closing within one shot before tailing off to a T2 finish with Minami Katsu. Katsu posted the other 65 of the week, on Saturday, but could not overtake her countrywoman, Yamashita. wunderkind Lottie Woad needed one round in the 60s to find her pace, but could only must close-to’s, ending on 284 and a tie with Minjee for eighth.
On Sunday, Yamashita put away the thoughts of Saturday’s struggles, with three-under 33 on the outward half. She closed in plus-one 37, but still won by two, for a first Major and LPGA title.
PGA Tour @ Wyndham: Young gathers first title near home
Cameron Young grew up along the Hudson river, above metro New York, but he also calls Winston-Salem home. He spent four years as a student and athlete at Wake Forest University, then embarked on tour. This week in Greensboro, after a bit of a break, Young opened with 63-62, and revved the engine of Is this the week once more. Runner-up finishes at the Open, the PGA, and a handful of PGA Tour events had followers wonder when the day would come.
On Saturday, Young continued his torrid pace with 65, giving him a five-shot advantage over his closest pursuer. Sunday saw the Scarborough native open with bogey, then reel off five consecutive birdies to remind folks that his time had, at last, arrived. Pars to the 16th, before two harmless bogeys coming home, made Young the 1000th winner of an official PGA Tour event (dating back to before there was a PGA Tour) throughout history. What’s next? I have a suspicion, but I’m not letting on. Mac Meissner closed with 66 to finish solo 2nd, while Mark Hubbard and Alex Noren tied for third.
Korn Ferry Tour @ Utah Championship: Are you Suri it’s Julian?
Who knows exactly when the flower will bloom? Julian Suri played a solid careet at Duke University, then paid his dues on the world’s minor tours for three years. He won twice on two tours in Europe, in 2017. Since then, the grind has continued for the journeyman from New York city. At age 34, Suri broke through in Beehive state, outlasting another grinder (Spencer Levin) and four others, by two shots.
Taylor Montgomery began the week with 62, then posted 64, then 68, and finally, 70. That final round was his undoing. He finished in that second-place tie, two back of the leader. Trace Crowe, Barend Botha, and Kensei Hirata made up the last of the almost quintet. As for Suri, his Sunday play was sublime. His nines were 32 and 31, with his only radar blip a bogey at ten. He closed in style with one final birdie, to double his winning margin. Hogan bloomed late…might Suri?
PGA Tour Americas @ Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos – CBM Aggregates
Some tournament names run longer than others. This week in Toronto, at the Heathlands course at TPC Toronto, we might have seen the longest tournament title in recorded history. The OVOPBVCCBMA was a splendid affair. It saw three rounds of 62 on Thursday, but of those early risers, only Drew Goodman would stick around until the end. 64 was the low tally on day two, and two of those legionnaires managed to finish inside the top three at week’s end. Saturday brought a 63 from Patrick Newcomb, and he would follow with 64 on Sunday, to finish solo fourth.
Who, then, ended up winning the acronym of the year? It turns out that Carson Bacha had the right stuff in TeeOhhh. Bacha and Jay Card III posted 63 and 64, respectively, on day four, to tie for medalist honors at 23-under 261. Nathan Franks was one shot adrift, despite also closing with 63. If you didn’t go low on Sunday, it was about the check, not the championship.
Bacha and JC3 returned to the 18th hole twice in overtime. Card nearly chipped in from the thick stuff for birdie, while Bacha peeked and shoved a ten-feet attempt at the win. On the second go-round, Card was long with his approach, into the native grasses once more. He was unable to escape, and a routine par from the fairway was enough to earn the former Auburn golfers a first KFT title.
Card III and Bacha both miss their birdie tries on the first playoff hole.
We’ll play 18 again @OspreyOpen. pic.twitter.com/vNpHTdkHDg
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) August 3, 2025
GolfWRX is live this week from the final event of the PGA Tour’s regular season, the Wyndham Championship.
Photos are flowing into the forums from Sedgefield Country Club, where we already have a GolfWRX spirit animal Adam Schenk WITB and plenty of putters for your viewing pleasure.
Check out links to all our photos below, which we’ll continue to update as more arrive.
General Albums
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #2
- 2025 Wyndham Championship – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Scotty Kennon – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Austin Duncan – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Will Chandler – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kevin Roy – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ben Griffin – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Peter Malnati – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Ryan Gerard – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Adam Schenk – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Kurt Kitayama – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Camilo Villegas – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matti Schmid – WITB – 2025 Wyndham Championship
Pullout Albums
- Denny McCarthy’s custom Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Swag Golf putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Karl Vilips TM MG5 wedges – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- New Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Matt Fitzpatrick’s custom Bettinardi putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
- Cameron putters – 2025 Wyndham Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
Kurt Kitayama just won his 2nd PGA Tour event at the 3M Open. Kurt is a Bridgestone staffer but with just the ball and bag. Here are the rest of the clubs he used to secure a win at the 2025 3M Open.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (11 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees, A3 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 TX
7-wood: Titleist GT1 (21 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 9 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-14F), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 Tour Prototype
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy 1.0PT
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS (with Mindset)
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Skin Flute
Aug 19, 2014 at 6:50 pm
Anybody wanna play me!
That’s right, who wants to play “The Skin Flute”
Booger
Aug 15, 2014 at 1:16 am
Like he had a chance of getting picked. There’s only 60 guys with more points that would love to get picked. Thanks for the announcement. What a jerk!
John
Aug 15, 2014 at 12:22 am
Ryan Moore should definitely be picked. He has been very consistent this year. Tom Watson would have been wise for himself to play rather than Tiger.
John
Aug 15, 2014 at 12:20 am
Anybody who thinks the USA has a chance is fooling themselves. Half our team is injured, and the Europeans have been dominating the marquee events. No way we can compete, especially on their soil. Ill be rooting for the USA, but im also going to be smart and invest on the Europe odds of 2/3
Pingback: Tiger Woods removes himself from Ryder Cup consideration | Spacetimeandi.com
dot dot
Aug 14, 2014 at 7:54 pm
So he withdrew himself from consideration for a team that he wasn’t going to be selected for anyway. Hey Tom, I’m withdrawing myself from consideration as well. See how that works, neither mine or Tigers withdrawal effects anything.
Rich
Aug 14, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Darn it. I wanted to see him crash and burn at Gleneagles so bad. GO EUROPE!
Christosterone
Aug 14, 2014 at 7:35 pm
This is going to be a great Ryder Cup.
Europe will have its stalwarts such as Garcia, Rose and Stenson but they will also be missing a few of their past heroes such as Westwood, Donald & McDowell/Poulter(either or both may still get in on points) unless they get a captains pick.
I know it will be exciting to see so many new faces on both sides.
U-S-A…….U-S-A……U-S-A
Big Dick
Aug 15, 2014 at 1:41 pm
LOL I like this!!!!
Christosterone
Aug 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm
And since Im on the Lee Trevino subject, this is a must watch for anyone that loves golf history…
Maybe my favorite story of all time.
http://youtu.be/9sojAI7s160
Ballstriker
Aug 14, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Hey Christosterone!! What a great link to an awesome story. I had to play it back a couple of times to hear every word. Made me laugh, great stuff! Brotha’ Trevino is as tough as they come!
Christosterone
Aug 14, 2014 at 3:44 pm
I LOVE Trevino…we here in Texas worship him…
If you liked that story, check this out…
Jacklin said he had never played a match with anyone who was like this. Tony and Nicklaus said his iron play was matched only bynHogan and his toughness(re match play) was matched by nobody…
My favorite tourney:
http://youtu.be/urdUwammrEM
Ballstriker
Aug 14, 2014 at 9:01 pm
Wow, another gem of a story. To think of how Lee would have destroyed Agoosta, as Seve would say, if he had had the opportunity to complete his resume as a major championship winner. Would have been great to see a green jacket on the Merry Mex! Let’s just say Mr. Trevino was not made to feel welcome on the property. Nuff said.
MHendon
Aug 14, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Yeah not sure what this has to do with the Tiger article but you gotta love Lee.
Christosterone
Aug 14, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Nothing really. I was looking at Ryder cup records(see below link) and was surprised at how high lee was in so many of the categories.
Phil is way up there too in a bunch of stats as well…
RG
Aug 14, 2014 at 8:19 pm
It IS the best story of all time. Jack may be the best of all time, but if I had to pick a guy to go beat him, I’m taking Trevino.
Christosterone
Aug 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm
I wish at some point Lee Trevino would get a write up on this site.
He was a god in match play…
Bested just about everyone in totality of Ryder Cup records…Billy casper notwithstanding.
http://www.rydercup.com/usa/history/2014-ryder-cup-team-records
Jeff
Aug 14, 2014 at 1:33 pm
Anyone who laments Tiger’s poor Ryder cup record doesn’t actually watch the Ryder cup. Last Ryder cup he made six birdies on the back nine, almost halved his last match until Stricks missed an 8 footer. Watson would and should have had him on the team, the reason, just what he said, “He’s Tiger Woods.” The only American to have won 5 times since the last Ryder Cup.
Kevin Casey
Aug 14, 2014 at 1:52 pm
I think it would have been tough to justify putting Tiger on this team. Certainly 2013 Woods is a no brainer (and obviously would have qualified if the Cup were held that year), but he’s been brutal in 2014. Doesn’t matter that he’s Tiger Woods, if he’s unhealthy or playing poorly (or both, as he was recently) then the only way to justify picking him is if there’s a legitimate chance he turns it around between now and Ryder Cup time. With Tiger though, you didn’t see any sign that his game would improve rapidly between now and the Cup. His injuries were just hampering him too much. The U.S. is better off without this Tiger, but not without a healthy and on form one.
I am glad that you pointed out the myth of Tiger’s poor 2012 Ryder Cup. Yes, he was 0-3-1 and I know he apologized for his performance, but record in a small sample size can really be misleading. As you mentioned, he made six birdies on the back nine of his Saturday match, and he had an equally impressive back nine and round Friday against Colsaerts. Actually Tiger probably played the second best golf of the 16 out there Friday afternoon, he just happened to be against the guy who played the best. So I can’t really fault him for that loss, he and Stricker would have beaten every other European team that afternoon.
Honestly besides his opening match that week, he played well. He had more birdies (13) in his last three matches than Dustin Johnson had (11), and DJ went 3-0 while Tiger went 0-2-1. Sometimes you just get unlucky in who you play, and Tiger probably got a higher level of performance from his opponents than anyone else on the team. Doesn’t explain his career Ryder Cup record, but shows that Tiger’s 2012 appearance was a lot better than 0-3-1 indicates.
Christosterone
Aug 14, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Its a class move, plain and simple.
Im sure chamblee will find something wrong with it.
MHendon
Aug 14, 2014 at 5:19 pm
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Gautama
Aug 15, 2014 at 11:28 am
Will Brandel at least admit he’s not healthy now?
adhd
Aug 14, 2014 at 12:51 pm
It’s the only smart thing to do given his recent performance.
M-smizzle
Aug 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm
He can’t play that week
Big Vegas trip already scheduled