Tiger Woods shows true colours with response after turning down Ryder Cup offer

Tiger Woods has still made himself available for Team USA's preparations for the Ryder Cup, despite turning down the opportunity to lead the side as captain. The golf legend, who boasts 15 major titles, hasn't featured in the biennial showdown since 2018, when he suffered defeats in all four of his individual encounters.

Team Europe went on to claim victory in what represents one of eight triumphs for them across the past 11 Ryder Cup tournaments. Woods had been tipped as a potential skipper for Team USA earlier this year as they seek to alter the balance of that record.

However, the 49-year-old declined the role, acknowledging that his commitments with the TGL and his participation in PIF talks had consumed much of his schedule. But he's shown his class by still doing what he can to lend a hand.

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Back in February, the sporting legend explained: "I just didn't feel like I would be doing the captaincy or the players in Team USA justice if I was the captain with everything that I have to do."

Following Woods' decision to step aside from the captaincy opportunity, Keegan Bradley was subsequently selected for the role, with the 39-year-old announcing his player picks for Bethpage Black later this month back in August.

Bradley revealed his shock at being chosen as captain whilst acknowledging he had discussed the appointment with Woods, stating: "I don't think I'll ever be more surprised by anything in my entire life. I had no idea. It took a while for it to sink in.

"I've spoken to Tiger a bunch. I spoke to him this morning on the phone. He's been very helpful. Tiger has always been really helpful to me. He's a great voice to hear and he's been nothing but - he's been reaching out to me helping me, which has been amazing."

Prior to Bradley confirming his selections for Team USA, rumours were rife about whether he'd choose himself and become the first playing captain at the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer.

During his considerations, Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner revealed on the that he sought guidance from Woods, who has first-hand knowledge of the situation, having been the inaugural playing captain in Presidents Cup history back in 2019.

Laver commented: "He certainly has sought the advice of Tiger Woods, who keep in mind was a playing captain in 2019 [at the] Presidents Cup. I think the onus is going to be on Keegan Bradley.

"He can rely heavily on Jim Furyk, a guy who's been there and done that, he can rely heavily on Brandt Snedeker, who was part of the back-room staff last year at the Presidents Cup."

Woods proved entirely successful in his double role as he claimed victory in all three matches he contested at the tournament, guiding the U.S. to triumph. Bradley's squad, meanwhile, features automatic qualifiers Scottie Scheffler, J. J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Harris English and Bryson DeChambeau.

The final six captain's selections were announced as Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Ben Griffin, Cameron Young, Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns.