COUNTY LIMERICK, Ireland — Jim Furyk’s resume as a Ryder Cup captain is abysmal.
When Thomas Bjorn’s European team thrashed the Americans 17.5-10.5 at Le Golf National outside Paris in 2018, it extended a dismal trend of failure on foreign soil that remains unbroken to this day.
That week in France began with early promise — the U.S. jumped out to a 3–1 lead in Friday morning foursomes — before Europe responded with an afternoon sweep, built a 10-6 advantage through Saturday, and cruised to a commanding seven-point victory on Sunday.
Nine years later, as the 56-year-old Furyk prepares to lead a new group of 12 Americans into battle at Adare Manor next September, the captain sounds markedly different than his 48-year-old self. Backed by additional stints as a captain and vice-captain across Ryder and Presidents Cups, Furyk is eager to put nearly a decade of hard-earned wisdom to work.
Looking back at 2018, the dilemma that kept Furyk awake at night centered on his captain’s picks. Prioritizing hot hands, Furyk selected Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and Tony Finau. Conversely, Bjorn targeted course fit over raw recent form, selecting Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson.
Bjorn's "horses for courses" strategy paid off, while the American picks struggled on a tight, punishing layout.
“I knew at the time that there were a few guys I was looking at that I really was hoping would make that team because I knew that the golf course suited them. Zach Johnson was one. Matt Kuchar was one,” Furyk said. “Zach and Cooch really hadn't played that well, and the guys that were at the top of their game, you can kind of look at it as who's in top form now versus who fits the golf course. The guys in top form might not have gained an advantage. They were long power hitters, where it really didn't matter at La Golf National. I'd played the golf course. I knew it. It really was a golf course that set up perfectly for me.”
The strategy of prioritizing tournament winners over course-tailored players backfired, as the U.S. managed just 4.5 points in Sunday singles — historically their strongest format — with Finau earning the sole victory among the captain's wildcards.
“It's one thing I would definitely take a look at,” Furyk acknowledged regarding his selection process for Adare Manor.
For his second captaincy, the former U.S. Open champion views his role through the lens of a corporate CEO, incorporating a different management style into his captaincy and team room.
“I think you know, leading into 2018, I had played on a lot of Ryder Cups, but that didn't necessarily mean I understood what it took to be the best captain possible,” Furyk said. “I think I understand the leadership role a little bit better, and I've been in these team rooms for several years now, and kind of been a little bit of the support for our captains the last few years as an assistant or a vice captain, being the veteran member in there, but I'm still trying to learn.”
By recognizing that every player, vice-captain and staff member fulfills a specific purpose, Furyk hopes a refined, supportive leadership model will give Team USA the edge it needs to end its long drought on European soil.