Chalien Dantes / Contributor

Tiger Woods has announced he will not serve as the United States Ryder Cup captain for next year’s event in Ireland. 

The decision comes after the 50-year -old golf legend was arrested in Florida last week following a single-car crash, facing charges of driving under the influence, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Woods submitted a plea of not guilty through his lawyers and revealed he is stepping back from professional golf to focus on treatment and his overall well-being. A Florida judge has granted him permission to travel overseas to receive care at a specialised inpatient facility.

Woods has played at the Ryder Cup eight times for the US, first in 1997 and most recently in 2018, with his sole victory coming in 1999 at Brookline, Massachusetts. The 2027 Ryder Cup is scheduled for 17-19 September at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland, and speculation had placed Woods among the frontrunners for the captaincy.

Recovering from multiple surgeries after a serious 2021 car accident, Woods has participated in only a limited schedule, making his decision to step back from leadership a necessary move for both his health and long-term future in the game.