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Furyk Pledges Changes for U.S. Ryder Cup Team
Confirmed
In Short: U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk insists that changes are coming for the American team ahead of the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland.
Furyk, who has notched a win in the 2024 Presidents Cup, acknowledges the team's poor record in Europe, noting that the Americans have not won an away Ryder Cup since 1993.
"We're not real happy with the last two results, so, yes, change will be made," Furyk told CBS Sports.
Furyk has already introduced a new points system for qualification, focusing on the 2027 season, and plans to implement a new analytics team.
"We're going to evolve. We're going to get better, noticeably, I guess, right off the bat, a new points system moving forward, a new analytics team moving forward," Furyk said.
Furyk emphasized the need for the team to be prepared for the European format, especially in foursomes, where the Americans have struggled.
"And I will promise you, we will be prepared. I'm going to ask this team to do more than any other United States team has in the past. We'll be prepared. We'll be ready to go in that format, and hopefully we can showcase our talent," he added.
Furyk highlighted the importance of selecting players who thrive in high-pressure environments, noting that the team's mentality will be crucial.
"This year, there's no chance that that could happen. We're the underdogs. We understand that. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. And you know, I'm excited about that process," Furyk said.
Furyk's comments came during a media conference at Adare Manor, where he and European captain Luke Donald aimed to gain the psychological high ground ahead of the event.
What this adds
Furyk's emphasis on team preparation and mental toughness reflects the need to address past failures, particularly in foursomes where the Americans have struggled.
What's confirmed
- "I know it's always been the Americans who seem to be the favourites, this year there is no chance that could happen. We are the underdogs, we understand that and we have a lot of work ahead of us."
What's still developing
- At the helm for the second time in his career, Furyk has a tall task laid out in front of him as he aims to lead the Americans to victory on European soil for the first time since 1993 at The Belfry, two years after the U.S.
- Furyk served as a captain in the 2024 Presidents Cup in winning fashion, as well as a vice captain in the 2025 Ryder Cup and the 2026 Presidents Cup last month at Medinah Country Club.
- This dominance in singles has raised questions about the Americans' ability to come together in team sessions, especially in foursomes, where they have struggled and often put themselves in a hole.
- "This year, there's no chance that that could happen. We're the underdogs. We understand that. We've got a lot of work ahead of us. And you know, I'm excited about that process. I'm a process guy and kind of ducks in a row and put these guys in a good position and let our guys go out and show their talent. It's going to be difficult…I've been saying it all week, I need 12 guys that love that atmosphere and love walking into that type of arena because it takes a certain mentality, and those are the guys I'll be looking for."
- Rival captains Luke Donald and his American counterpart Jim Furyk rounded off a weekend of Year To Go activities in and around the JP McManus-owned host course and the wider Limerick area with a media conference at the resort on Tuesday at which they both aimed to gain the psychological high ground.
- “We all have a dear friend in Darren Clarke. My memory of that week was so special,” said the American who played in nine Ryder Cups.
- “My memory of the K Club especially early in the week was the amount of rain and the conditions to practice in.” The Americans have struggled in foursomes in recent contests across the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup losing 26-8 collectively in foursomes and 13-3 against Europe.
- In the resounding defeat at Le Golf National eight years ago, only half of the American players had previously visited the golf course.
- The lack of team buy-in was highlighted by then rookie Justin Thomas, who claimed four of the side’s 11.5 points after being the only American to play in that year’s Open de France at the same venue.