John Daly wants Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson to captain 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team

John Daly will likely never play on a Ryder Cup team, but the two-time major champion knows who should lead the U.S. out of its losing doldrums: Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson.

Daly, teeing it up this week in Turkey, also appeared to offer his services as vice skipper and shared his views on the task force the PGA of America created to get panel members Woods, Mickelson, and nine others to figure out a way to beat the Europeans: he (like captain candidate, Fred Couples) is not a fan.

“I don’t know where they’re going with a task force, I really don’t, as they should just go ahead and pick a captain,” Daly opined to the Associated Press after opening with a 69 Thursday at the Turkish Airlines Open.

“Phil Mickelson should be the next captain and play at Hazeltine. Phil seems to thrive on Ryder Cup competition, does well when he plays. He knows everything about the Ryder Cup, so maybe it should be him or Tiger who should be the next captain,” said Daly. “We’ve had playing captains over the years, so why not in 2016?”

Daly, who will no doubt share his impressions of everything from the Ryder Cup to country music on his new “Hit it Hard” SiriusXM PGA Tour radio show, recognized his chance to play for the red, white, and blue was long past, but believed he had something to offer his countrymen -- perhaps as an assistant to the head guy.

“I know I will never be a captain, but it would be fun and an experience if I could be involved in some way, as I could keep the guys loose and ensure they have a bit of fun,” said Daly, touted recently in this space as a “true out-of-the-box choice” for skipper.

“It’s not rocket science why the European team has been winning,” Daly added, “and it doesn’t need a task force to work it out.”