Tiger Woods’ tactics are inadvertently helping Europe’s Ryder Cup team, giving them an edge ahead of the 2025 competition.

Thanks to events like the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, or even LIV, we’ve become pretty familiar with team-based golf competitions. So when TGL came onto the scene, we kind of knew what we were getting into. Sure, it’s new in many ways—like an indoor simulator league with weekly matches—but there are definitely some similarities to the other leagues. And where there’s familiarity, there’s plenty of room for learning. Don’t think we’re right? Ask European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald—he’s drawing big from Woods in the TGL!

Now, when it comes to dealing with pressure, you can’t help but think of Tiger Woods. The guy’s practically a walking legend when it comes to staying cool under the toughest conditions. Whether it’s his famous fist pump or the way he handles those all-important putts, the tales of Woods’s aura are something his peers often talk about.

And that Woods approach has been working for his rival team. Recently, in an interview at the SoFi Center, Donald was asked whether TGL could help prepare his team for the high-stakes atmosphere of the Ryder Cup. While his answer focused on the role of technology in the game, it also inadvertently highlighted a key lesson Woods has taught the world of golf: managing pressure and distractions in big moments.

For those unversed with TGL’s setup, one of the coolest features is the shot clock. Players have 40 seconds to take their shot, and when the clock hits 15 seconds, a heartbeat sound echoes through the arena, adding a layer of pressure. As Donald pointed out, “They gotta manage those distractions, you know, the countdown, the heartbeat, anything like that.”

Now, this concept isn’t exactly new. When it’s about managing pressure, Woods has been a master at it for years. The difference here is that while TGL is all about indoor simulators, the Ryder Cup happens on an actual golf course. But, as Donald pointed out, it’s still a valuable experience. “They’re gonna, on that first tee at Bethpage, they’re gonna be feeling the heartbeat for real in there, so anytime they can get to experience a little bit of that, that’s good for them.”

So, while Woods might not have directly given Donald any coaching tips, his influence is still there. Thanks to Woods’s approach to handling pressure, the European team is already getting a little taste of what it’s like to deal with those high-pressure moments.

But is it just the Europe team that needs a lesson? No, when we look closely, team USA is under deep waters, and really needs to double down their game.

Team USA faces unique challenges ahead of the 2025 Ryder Cup

The 2025 Ryder Cup, set for September 26–28 at Bethpage Black, is already stirring plenty of debate—and not just about who will win. Team USA is dealing with some significant changes, and it’s clear the pressure is on.

Keegan Bradley, a major champion and two-time Ryder Cup veteran, has been named U.S. captain, surprising many in the golf world. While we don’t doubt his expertise in the game, his vice-captains, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker, lack the leadership experience. It’s a fresh team, which is both exciting and, let’s face it, a little nerve-wracking for an event where experience tends to win the day.

Bradley has also decided to stick with the current qualification system—six automatic spots and six captain’s picks. There was chatter about going back to eight automatic qualifiers, but Bradley shot that down pretty quickly. “I think the points system does a great job in identifying the 12 best players,” Bradley said. “We play our elevated events and majors carry so much weight, and I think that’s important with how strong the fields are, you know, week-to-week, the pressure of playing in these big tournaments and majors, and that shows up on the points list.”

Meanwhile, European captain Luke Donald is leaving no stone unturned. He’s fully aware of how rowdy the Bethpage crowd can get, so he’s planning to simulate those chaotic, hostile conditions during practice sessions to make sure his players are ready for anything. His team selection process has also been upgraded, with six players now qualifying from a single points list and six captain’s picks. One name that’s practically a lock? Ludvig Åberg. The rising star has been on fire lately, especially at TGL, where he wowed everyone with 180 mph drives and clutch long putts. Donald seems pretty sold on him, and honestly, who wouldn’t be?

Coming back to Team USA, for the first time ever, their players will be compensated for competing. Each player will get $500,000, with $300,000 going to a charity of their choice. Again, this decision too has garnered a fair share of criticisms questioning its impact on team spirit and the event’s tradition.

So, where does that leave Team USA? With a relatively inexperienced leadership team and all these changes, they’ll need to double down on their preparation to stay competitive. As the Ryder Cup countdown continues, it’s clear the Americans will need to pull together to overcome the challenges ahead.