With the PGA of America set to disclose the name of the 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup captain on NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday, bookmakers like David Toms’ odds of succeeding Davis Love III.
David Toms is odds-on favorite to be next U.S. Ryder Cup captain
Tiger Woods is a 100/1 long shot to take over the reigns of the Ryder Cup from Davis Love
Sam Greenwood
Sky Bet’s wise guys are putting their money behind three-time Ryder Cup veteran Toms, who has expressed great interest in the position, as have sentimental favorites, World Golf Hall of Famers Tom Watson and Larry Nelson.
A Ryder Cup captaincy “would be one of the highest honors in my life,” Toms told reporters during the Players Championship in May. “I’m hoping to at least have a chance to be a captain someday.”
Fred Couples -- who was one of Love’s assistant captains when Europe came from behind to beat the U.S. at Medinah in September -- would appear to be on the short list of candidates as well, though he is now captain of the Presidents Cup. Other names bandied about for the 2014 matches, which will take place at Gleaneagles in Scotland, include Jeff Sluman, Tom Lehman, Mark Calcavecchia, and even Tiger Woods -- though Sky Bets sees the former No. 1 as a huge long shot (100/1) to lead the troops into golfing battle in two years.
Toms, 45, has won 13 times on the PGA Tour and owns one major title, the 2001 PGA Championship. The PGA, of course, could take a completely different route altogether, since Jason Sobel reported that Toms has not even been in touch with association officials about the job.
Europe expects to name its captain -- possibly Darren Clarke or Paul McGinley -- in January.
