LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Speculation continues to percolate about whether — when? — Tiger Woods will be announced as the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain for Bethpage Black.
At last month’s Masters, Woods was asked what the state of that situation was, and he said he was set to speak with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh in the coming days.
Asked on Tuesday if he had that conversation and where it stands, Woods was again evasive, though somewhat transparent about his thought process on the matter.
“We’re still talking [but] there’s nothing that has been confirmed yet,’’ Woods said. “We’re still working on what that might look like. Also, whether or not I have the time to do it. I’m dedicating so much time to what we’re doing with the PGA Tour [on the policy board], I don’t want to not fulfill the role of the captaincy if I can’t do it.
“What that all entails and representing Team USA and the commitments to the PGA of America, the players, and the fans … I need to feel that I can give the amount of time that it deserves.’’
With the Olympic Games coming up this summer, the topic of which golfers may represent the U.S. is beginning to be discussed.
Scottie Scheffler, ranked No. 1 in the world and a lock for the U.S. team, said Tuesday he’s all in for Paris.
“I definitely plan on playing,’’ Scheffler said. “I think becoming an Olympian would be a dream come true, for sure. Be a nice little thing to be able to trash talk to my buddies about when they say golfers aren’t athletes. I can claim I’m an Olympian.
“It’s definitely a tournament that has been on my schedule, and I’ll definitely be playing there if I’m able.’’
Scheffler revealed Tuesday that Ted Scott, his regular caddie, will miss Saturday’s third round to be home for his daughter’s high school graduation.
Scott is set to leave after Friday’s round and return late Saturday in time to loop for Scheffler in Sunday’s final round.
“That’s something we talked about from the beginning of our relationship: Family always comes first, and it’s the same thing for me as it is for my caddie,” Scheffler said. “It was a pretty easy decision. He told me at the beginning of this year that that was the date that it was, so I got a backup caddie lined up.
“It’s one of my older friends who travels week-to-week out here, he’s the Tour chaplain. I trust him to rake a bunker more than my buddies.’’
Brad Payne, who’s the PGA Tour chaplain and a close friend of Scheffler’s, will carry his bag Saturday — unless he misses the cut. Payne has previously caddied for Paul Stankowski.
Scott has been on Scheffler’s bag for all 10 of his PGA Tour wins.
The tee times were released Tuesday, with some marquee groups.
Scheffler is grouped with reigning U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and reigning British Open champ Brian Harman at 2:13 p.m.
Woods is grouped with Adam Scott and Keegan Bradley at 8:04 a.m. Justin Thomas, the local hero, is playing with Xander Schauffele and Ludvig Aberg at 7:53. Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose play at 8:15 a.m.
Brooks Koepka, a three-time PGA winner, is grouped with Max Homa and Jordan Spieth at 8:37 a.m. Phil Mickelson is playing with Collin Morikawa and Matthew Fitzpatrick at 1:51 p.m.
Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler and Westchester’s Cameron Young play at 2:02 p.m.
Michael Block, the club pro who became a rock star at last year’s PGA, is in the first group at 7:15 a.m. alongside European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and former PGA champ Shaun Micheel.
Chris Gotterup, the Jersey Shore native who won Sunday to get into this field, is playing in the second-to-last group with Vincent Norman and Wyatt Worthington II at 2:52 p.m.
Matt Dobyns, the club pro at Meadowbrook Club on Long Island, is playing with David Puig and Thriston Lawrence at 12:45 p.m.