John Wood has attended nine Ryder Cups as NBC’s caddy, team assistant, and on-course reporter. He will now be the team manager for the United States Ryder Cup squad at Bethpage Black next year.
The PGA Ryder Cup Committee chose Wood for this new role, stating that he would confer with the captain, assistants, players, and PGA of America management on strategy and operational matters.
“Truly a dream job,” Wood remarked.
John Wood Goes From Caddie To TV To Ryder Cup Team Manager
The captain of the US team has yet to be named. Tiger Woods, with whom Wood is close, is the top contender, and he is still debating with the PGA of America whether he can spend enough time in the role for the 2025 matches.
Wood’s role as a team manager could reduce some of the responsibilities that a captain’s job frequently requires.
“John is a passionate and dedicated person. His extensive expertise in local and international team competitions, as well as his in-depth grasp of match play dynamics, will be invaluable as we develop a strategic plan to ensure success at all future Ryder Cups,” said Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America.
“I’m not sure that we could have invented a better fit for this role in terms of experience, enthusiasm and relevance.”
John Wood Goes From Caddie To TV To Ryder Cup Team Manager
Wood caddied for Mark Calcavecchia at The Belfry in 2002, Chris Riley at Oakland Hills in 2004, Hunter Mahan in 2008, 2010, and 2014, and Matt Kuchar at Hazeltine in 2016. He was part of winning teams at Valhalla in 2008 and Hazeltine.
He served as a team assistant in the 2018 matches in France and has previously worked as an on-course reporter for NBC at Whistling Straits and Marco Simone.
Wood worked as a caddy for over 20 years, the last with Kuchar, until joining NBC Sports in 2021.
As team manager for the United States team, he will be in charge of player selection, recruitment, logistics, and fostering a positive team environment.
John Wood Goes From Caddie To TV To Ryder Cup Team Manager
Wood will continue to work as an NBC on-course reporter, except for the Ryder Cup.
The Americans are coming off another road loss in Europe outside of Rome, continuing a losing record on European soil from 1997. The Americans have won the last two home events, Hazeltine and Whistling Straits.
SOURCE – (AP)
