John Wooden has been to 9 Ryder Cups as a caddie, a workforce assistant and an on-course reporter for NBC. Now he is headed to Bethpage Black subsequent yr in a brand new function as workforce supervisor for the U.S. Ryder Cup workforce.
The PGA Ryder Cup Committee chosen Wooden for this new place, saying he would seek the advice of with the captain, assistants, gamers and the PGA of America administration on technique and operational points.
“Actually a dream job,” Wooden stated.
Nonetheless to be decided is the U.S. captain. Tiger Woods, with whom Wooden is shut, is the best choice and nonetheless discussing with the PGA of America whether or not he can commit enough time to tackle the job for the 2025 matches.
Having Wooden as a workforce supervisor may alleviate a few of the tasks that always take up time from a captain’s job.
“John is a passionate and devoted particular person. His years of expertise in home and worldwide workforce competitions in addition to his deep understanding of match play dynamics will likely be an amazing asset as we create a strategic plan that delivers success in any respect future Ryder Cups,” stated Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America.
“I am undecided that we may have invented a greater match for this function by way of expertise, enthusiasm and relevance.”
Wooden caddied for Mark Calcavecchia in 2002 at The Belfry, for Chris Riley in 2004 at Oakland Hills, for Hunter Mahan in 2008, 2010 and 2014, and for Matt Kuchar in 2016 at Hazeltine. He was a part of profitable groups at Valhalla in 2008 and Hazeltine.
He labored as a workforce assistant within the 2018 matches in France, and was at Whistling Straits and Marco Simone the final two occasions as an on-course reporter for NBC.
Wooden spent greater than 20 years as a caddie, his final stint with Kuchar, earlier than becoming a member of NBC Sports activities in 2021.
In his function as workforce supervisor for the U.S. workforce, he will likely be concerned in participant choice, recruitment, logistics and making a optimistic workforce atmosphere.
“There’s nothing — and I imply nothing — in my skilled profession that I’ve been extra obsessed with than the Ryder Cup,” Wooden stated.
Wooden will nonetheless work as an NBC on-course reporter besides throughout the Ryder Cup.
The People are coming off one other street loss to Europe exterior Rome, extending a dropping streak on European soil that dates to 1997. The People have received the final two occasions at residence, Hazeltine and Whistling Straits.
