Jim Furyk has been named as the USA captain for the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris. The 46-year-old succeeds Davis Love III, who guided the USA to a 17-11 victory at Hazeltine last autumn.
The US Ryder Cup committee, which included Love as well as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, have left Furyk the challenge of trying to claim a first American win on away soil since they last defended the trophy in 1993.
Furyk featured in nine consecutive Ryder Cups as a player between 1997 and 2014, before acting as one of Love’s five vice-captains in Minnesota.
“I would like to thank Davis and the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for their faith in me and my selection as United States Ryder Cup Captain,” Furyk said. “I’ve said many times that the Ryder Cup is part of my DNA, so this opportunity was a privilege and honor to accept. This is a special moment for my family.”
The former US Open champion has immediately named Love as one of his vice-captains, who played in six Ryder Cups as well as his two spells in charge of the American side.
Furyk’s main rival for the role was five-time Ryder Cup player and three-time Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples, who was also overlooked for the captaincy in 2016.
The announcement was made by the PGA of America President Paul Levy, who is relishing the prospect of Furyk becoming the 28th US Captain in Ryder Cup history. “For more than two decades, Jim Furyk has stood proud and tall on the American golf stage and we are thrilled to have him as our Ryder Cup Captain,” Levy said. “His accomplishments as a player are well known, but his inherent competitive spirit and leadership traits are what made his candidacy so attractive. Jim offers the total package and is well suited for the task at hand.”
European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn, who was unveiled as Darren Clarke’s successor last month, said: “I am delighted to offer my congratulations to Jim Furyk on being appointed captain of the United States Ryder Cup team for 2018. I have known Jim for many years, and as well as being a worthy opponent and a tremendous competitor, I know he shares my passion for the Ryder Cup, which ensures it will be a fantastic contest when our respective teams meet at Le Golf National in 20 months’ time.”
Furyk said of Bjorn: “Thomas is a friend of mine. We had a long chat about the Ryder Cup as we walked six or seven holes at Hazeltine. He is someone I look forward to sharing this process with in a friendly manner. I’m sure he will be a great leader and his team will be strong. They are not going to be happy about the results at Hazeltine and, as always, the European crowd will be out in full force. They are loud and boisterous, but they are great fans.
“The whole atmosphere in Paris is going to provide a very difficult challenge for Team USA, and we haven’t won on foreign soil since 1993. We’ve got our work cut out, but I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting started.”