News involving Tiger Woods over the past 48 hours has dominated the sports news cycle as he returns to the course late Thursday morning to host the Hero World Challenge at Albany, Bahamas. The tournament is a benefit to his charitable foundation. Woods will tee off with his close friend Justin Thomas at 11:52 a.m. ET in what could be a preview for golf fans anticipating North Carolina sports betting next year.
The other big news that came out earlier this week was that Luke Donald will once again captain the European Team in the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. With Donald at the helm, Europe dominated the United States team, 16.5 to 11.5, at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy to win the 44th edition on Oct. 1.
With Tiger’s return to playing and the Ryder Cup back on golf fans’ minds, the question is worth bringing up: Who Will Be The Next U.S. Ryder Cup Captain? BetCarolina.com offers updated hypothetical odds on whether Tiger Woods or another candidate will captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team in September 2025.
Here are the latest Captain probables, which you won't find on NC betting apps.
Odds of Next U.S. Ryder Cup Captain
Tiger Unlikely To Take The Reins
In what many thought was a forgone conclusion except for the official announcement, Woods dropped to fourth on the list (+800) from our initial odds in early Nov. at +200. Why?
During Tuesday’s pre-tournament press conference, Woods reiterated that the Ryder Cup is not on his mind right now as he has actively worked behind the scenes not only to rehab and get back on the course but to help work out a potential agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
“There’s too much at stake with our tour to think about a Ryder Cup right now,” said Woods. “We have to get this [deal] done, and we have to be focused on this right now. The Ryder Cup can take a – the players and everyone involved understands that this is an issue we need to focus on.”
Former winning Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker is now the current favorite at +150 (moving from +250 back in early Nov.) as he could return to lead the U.S. squad after a record-breaking 19-9 victory in 2021 at Whistling Straits GC in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Stricker was a vice captain to Captain Zach Johnson this past Ryder Cup.
Jim Furyk (now +250 from +300), captain of the 2018 Ryder Cup squad, moved to second choice and could make amends after a 17.5-10.5 loss to Europe at Le Golf National in Guyancourt, France. Furyk will offer a working resume and preview next year as he is the U.S. Captain at the Presidents’ Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada, Sept. 27-29.
Stewart Cink is at No. 3, moving way up from +800 to now +300. Cink was a vice-captain for this year’s team under Johnson and played on five straight Ryder Cup teams from 2002-10, though Italy was his first vice captaincy effort.
Another Woods close friend Fred Couples saw his odds unchanged (+1200) and rounded out the top five favorites. He would also be a first-time Captain, having served as vice captain three times. While Couples, 64, would be an older choice for a team that is only getting younger, he is also a three-time winning Presidents' Cup captain, and would be a hoot for New York fans.
Any other choice is listed at +1700.
The 45th Ryder Cup will take place Sept. 26-28, 2025 and will be just the second time the Empire State has hosted the Ryder Cup after Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester hosted in 1995, resulting in a 14.5-13.5 European win.
Did we say that Woods returns to playing on Thursday?
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