‘Always dreamed of doing’: John Daly ‘would love’ to be U.S. Ryder Cup captain

The 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor is less than two years away, and we don’t yet have any idea who the U.S. captain will be. Now, golf legend John Daly is throwing his hat in the ring… sort of.

In a recent interview, Daly expressed his dream of one day captaining the U.S. Ryder Cup team, but he also admitted it was unlikely to ever happen.

John Daly on Ryder Cup captain chances: ‘Ain’t never going to happen’

Daly’s legend is unquestioned. He came out of nowhere to break through with a shocking win at the 1991 PGA Championship, then added a second major at the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews.

But it was Daly’s distinctive style, attitude and, yes, troubles on and off the course, that made him one of the most popular pro golfers in history.

Surprisingly, one thing Daly never did is play for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

He acknowledged as much in a recent interview with Hard Rock Bet. But he did more than that, he also revealed that he “would love” to captain a U.S. team one day.

Though he also acknowledged that’s unlikely to happen, especially not in 2027 in Ireland.

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“Well, my ancestors are from Cork [Ireland]. I’d love to be a captain one day, but that ain’t never going to happen,” Daly told Hard Rock Bet. “But Tiger [Woods] would be an unbelievable captain. I would love to be a co-captain or just be a part of it somehow.”

Daly explained that his disappointment in not playing the Ryder Cup in his prime has made even more interested in finally being a part of the American squad.

“I feel like I should have been on two teams, but it just didn’t happen. I didn’t play good enough, so I didn’t get on them. But to be a part of the Ryder Cup would be something I would love to do, whether it’s a co-captain or just be a part of it,” Daly said.

He also thinks he has a lot to offer as a captain.

“I’d love to see it, put my input in, and hopefully help the guys. I think it’d be an experience for me that I’ve always dreamed of doing ever since I won the PGA Championship in 1991,” he said.

And he would take a note from the successful European teams if he ever got the nod.

“Me, personally, I could care less about getting any gifts. I play for the flag of the United States, and I think that’s what I would put more into our team, like the European guys do,” he explained. “They’re playing for Europe, but they’re playing for their country, too. We play for one country. There’s probably 15 or 20 different countries represented in the European Ryder Cup, and they relish it.”

He continued, “They get behind it, they take a week off, and they all go practice, and they get used to that better ball. I think our team just needs to become more of a family and really get behind the United States of America — the flag — and not worry about what we can get out of it. For me, personally, I just want that Ryder Cup trophy.”

Daly warns European Ryder Cup fans will be hungry for payback in 2027

Daly also spent a little time talking about the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black during his Hard Rock Bet interview.

The hottest topic of this year’s Ryder Cup was the unruly fans who routinely abused the European players at Bethpage.

Daly saw it a little differently, lauding the New York fans for their loyalty and their desire to have the American players’ backs, even if it didn’t prevent the European players from dominating the competition.

“Well, New York fans are loyal, man. They love the USA. My hat’s off to Rory McIlroy because they absolutely destroyed him, and the thing is, what they have to understand is, it didn’t bother him,” Daly said. “He played great, and the whole European team played great, and I think what we must realize is the fans are so awesome — they’re going to get behind the U.S., like the Europeans get behind the European team.”

He continued: “I wish I could have played one, because I would have relished it either way, but you got to give your hats off to those New York people. They are awesome, and they were behind the U.S. like no other I’ve ever seen.”

But he also provided one warning for the upcoming 2027 Ryder Cup on European soil: the European fans are ready for payback.

“But the favor’s going to be returned, and it’s not going to be too good for us in Europe,” Daly said.

You can read Daly’s full interview with Hard Rock Bet here.