Former PGA Tour caddie John Wooden has been named workforce supervisor for USA’s Ryder Cup workforce, though it stays unclear who will function the house captain at Bethpage Black.
Wooden has caddied for 5 completely different gamers throughout six Ryder Cups, served as a workforce assistant through the 2018 defeat at Le Golf Nationwide and attended the final two contests as an on-course commentator for NBC Sports activities.
The brand new position will see Wooden work on all ‘strategic and operational issues’ associated to USA’s Ryder Cup facet, alongside the – as but – unnamed captain, their backroom employees and PGA of America senior administration.
Wooden’s place will see him concerned in participant choice, recruitment, motivational methods, logistical coordination and ‘fostering a optimistic workforce atmosphere’ for the biennial occasion, going down subsequent September in New York and stay on Sky Sports activities.
“Truly a dream job,” Wooden mentioned. “There’s nothing, and I imply nothing, in my skilled profession, that I’ve been extra enthusiastic about than the Ryder Cup.
“I am honoured to work alongside my friends from the PGA of America, the PGA Ryder Cup committee, and future Ryder Cup captains, vice-captains and team members to help our captains and teams get ready to compete in one of the greatest sporting events the world has ever seen.”
PGA of America chief govt Seth Waugh mentioned: “His [Wood’s] years of expertise in home and worldwide workforce competitions in addition to his deep understanding of match play dynamics will probably be an amazing asset as we create a strategic plan that delivers success in any respect future Ryder Cups.
“I’m not sure that we could have invented a better fit for this role in terms of experience, enthusiasm and relevance.”
Who will probably be Group USA’s subsequent captain?
Tiger Woods has been closely linked as a future Ryder Cup captain, having made eight appearances for Group USA and in addition beforehand been a vice-captain at Hazeltine in 2016, and revealed forward of The Masters he was in discussions with the PGA of America.
Group USA have nonetheless not introduced who will function captain for the following version in New York, with Woods – who can be closely concerned within the PGA Tour’s discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund – hinting previous to the PGA Championship that he was nonetheless not sure whether or not he would be capable to decide to captaincy.
“We’re still talking,” Woods defined at Valhalla. “There’s nothing that has been confirmed yet. We’re still working on what that might look like. Also whether or not I have the time to do it.”
Matt Kuchar – who Wooden caddied for within the 2016 Ryder Cup victory at Hazeltine – Webb Simpson and Stewart Cink are among the many different names prone to be thought-about for Group USA’s captaincy, ought to Woods elect in opposition to taking the position.
Former world No 1 Luke Donald will function Europe’s captain for a second time, having led Europe to a 16.5-11.5 victory in Rome final September. Donald received all 4 Ryder Cups he performed in and served as a vice-captain for 2 editions.
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