While Luke Donald Retains Ryder Cup Captaincy Amid Huge Support, Who Are the Top 3 Potential Candidates For Leading Team USA in Bethpage?

In retrospect, it was quite predictable. Team Europe reclaimed their Ryder Cup in October and retained their captain in about two months’ time. On Wednesday, DP World Tour announced that Luke Donald will continue to helm the European side at next year’s Bethpage Black outing. Whereas the thumping 16½-11½ victory at Marco Simone all but sealed his fate, the case was pretty different for Zach Johnson, the US Team Captain.

The veteran American golfer looks likely to be axed sooner rather than later. During the Ryder Cup debacle, fans and former players were equivocal in condemning his lack of hold over the team. If the PGA of America, indeed, decides to gut Johnson, who can replace him at the helm? We explore three possible chances.

Three picks for the 2025 Ryder Cup 

Tiger Woods

You probably saw this coming. Tiger Woods’ name has been making rounds since the 4-0 thrashing in the first round. However, the veteran golfer’s Ryder Cup playing record doesn’t come close to his PGAT record. The 15-time Major winner brought 14.5 points in total with 13 wins and 3 halved matches. At the same time, Woods had to taste defeat in 21 matches. 

Nevertheless, the former World No.1, as a captain, has the experience of steering the USA team to victory at the Presidents Cup. Woods already got the backing of a former captain, even before he showed any interest. The 2008 Ryder Cup captain of the victorious American side, Paul Azinger, first threw his name into the mix.

Steve Stricker

Once again? What Team USA needs after their tumultuous Ryder Cup campaign, mired in controversies, one after another, is a man who can bring stability to the team. So, yes, the 12-time PGA Tour winner, who led the USA to a swaggering victory two years earlier, wouldn’t be a bad choice. In fact, Stricker’s 2021 victory was not his first as the US Team Captain. In 2017, the 56-year-old golfer led the team to a win in the 2017 Presidents Cup.

Phil Mickelson

Outrageous as it may sound, Phil Mickelson’s name has been floated a few times. Maybe it was as a whisper as opposed to the loud cheer that Tiger Woods received. Nonetheless, don’t be surprised to see the Lefty in New York next year. While Henrik Stenson was removed as the European captain for shifting to LIV Golf, the PGA of America didn’t see any problem with LIV Golf. Brooks Koepka, despite his reported nine-figure switch to the breakaway league, got his captain’s nod. 

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So there should be no boundaries in selecting the Lefty owing to his LIV Golf allegiance. Moreover, the 45-time PGA Tour winner was an assistant captain at the Whistling Straits. Although his captaincy in the Saudi-backed side won’t be the greatest backer of his bid, Mickelson is still known for his appeal to the younger generation of golfers and his accessibility to his teammates. 

Although it’s still 22 months away, the DP World Tour displayed foresight in giving Donald almost two years to get himself and the players in the right mindset. Will PGA of America take note of this?

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