Tiger Woods will hold talks over becoming the next US Ryder Cup captain after the Masters with 48-year-old in line to replace Zach Johnson for next year's New York showdown

Tiger Woods will hold talks about becoming the US Ryder Cup captain next week after declaring his belief that he can still win the Masters in his more immediate future.

Woods is the frontrunner to become Zach Johnson's successor for the 2025 showdown in New York, but has typically claimed he was too preoccupied to focus on the prospect.

The 48-year-old was more forthcoming at Augusta on Tuesday and disclosed he will discuss the post with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh once his 26th appearance at the Masters is concluded.

'We're still talking about it,' he said. 'It's something that Seth and I are going to sit back and talk about it after this event.

'I said I'm going to be busy for a couple weeks, so let me focus on getting through this week and hopefully getting another jacket, and then we can sit back and talk about it next week.'

Tiger Woods will hold talks about becoming the US Ryder Cup captain next week

Woods is the favorite to become Zach Johnson's successor for the 2025 event in New York

Woods, whose Masters tilt last year ended with him limping off during the third round, had initially planned to play once a month this season. However, those ambitions collapsed in February after he withdrew from the Genesis Invitational with flu.

That has been indicative of the latter stage of his career, with the lingering question of how well he can compete on the back of multiple back and leg surgeries.

Despite an apparent drift to what might be termed a ceremonial golfer, Woods believes he can still contest for a 16th major.

He said: 'If everything comes together, I think I can get one more. Do I need to describe that any more than that, or are we good?

'I don't know when that day is (that he cannot compete to win), when that day comes, but I still think that I can. I haven't got to that point where I don't think I can't.'

Woods believes he can still contest for a 16th major at the Maters this week, despite his health

On the state of his physical condition, Woods said: 'I hurt every day. I ache. And I prefer it warm and humid and hot. And I know we're going to get some thunderstorms. So at least it will be hot. It won't be like last year.'

Meanwhile, Woods is convinced Rory McIlroy will one day win the Masters to join only five other golfers to achieve the career slam – a group that includes Woods.

The 15-time major winner said: 'No question, he'll do it at some point. Rory's too talented, too good.

'He's going to be playing this event for a very long time. He'll get it done. It's just a matter of when. But, yes, I think that Rory will be a great Masters champion one day, and it could be this week. You never know. I just think that, again, the talent that he has, the way he plays game and the golf course fits his eye, it's just a matter of time.'