04/01/26 05:29:00
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04/01 17:27 CDT Tiger Woods turns down Ryder Cup captain's job and seeks
treatment out of country
Tiger Woods turns down Ryder Cup captain's job and seeks treatment out of
country
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
Tiger Woods formally turned down the Ryder Cup captaincy Wednesday as he steps
away from golf activities, and a Florida judge approved his motion to leave the
country to seek treatment.
The developments come one day after Woods entered a not guilty plea to
suspicion of driving under the influence when his SUV clipped the back of a
trailer and flipped on its side last week on a residential road near his home
on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods posted a statement Tuesday night saying that he was stepping away
indefinitely "to seek treatment and focus on my health."
A motion filed Wednesday by his attorney, Douglas Duncan, asked a judge that
Woods be allowed to travel outside the country to begin "comprehensive
inpatient treatment."
Duncan said the recommendation from Woods' doctor was based on the golfer's
"complex clinical presentation and the urgent need for a level of care that
cannot safely or effectively be done within the United States as his privacy
has been repeatedly compromised.
"Ongoing medical scrutiny and public exposure create significant barriers to
his care and would result in setbacks and an inability to fully engage in
treatment."
Martin County Court Judge Darren Steele approved the motion, which did not say
where the inpatient treatment facility was located.
Woods sought treatment at an inpatient facility in Mississippi clinic in
January 2010 after he was caught in a series of extramarital affairs, and his
agent said he sought treatment at another inpatient clinic after his 2017 DUI
arrest.
"I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger,
and more focused place, both personally and professionally," Woods said in his
statement.
The Ryder Cup decision by the PGA of America was not a surprise given the last
five chaotic days involving Woods dating to his Friday arrest.
"The PGA of America stands in full support of Tiger Woods as he steps away to
focus on his health and well-being," the statement said. "We commend Tiger for
prioritizing his long-term health and deeply respect the courage it takes to
make such a personal decision."
It said Woods "has shared with us" that he will not be captain.
Woods also turned down an offer to be Ryder Cup captain last time, waiting
until the early summer of 2024 to tell the PGA of America that he did not have
the time. That led to Keegan Bradley being selected just over a year before the
2025 matches on New York's Long Island, which Europe won.
The Associated Press reported in February that the PGA of America set a soft
deadline for the end of March for Woods to decide so the process would not drag
on.
The PGA of America said in its statement that it would share further updates
"when appropriate."
The AP reported Saturday that the Ryder Cup committee had a plan in place
should it not work out with Woods --- a short list of as many as four
candidates.
Whatever discussions and interviews take place likely would wait until after
the Masters.
Three players on the Ryder Cup committee --- Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and
Bradley --- are playing in the Masters, the first major of the year.
Luke Donald already has agreed to captain a third straight time for Europe,
which has won the last two Ryder Cups. No captain has ever won three straight.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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