Furyk confident as Team USA takes shape

With a star-studded group of eight confirmed players and Tiger Woods looming as a captain's pick, Jim Furyk feels good about the Ryder Cup.

Published : Aug 18, 2018 13:38 IST

United States Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk is full of confidence in the eight players to have automatically qualified for next month's event in Paris, as speculation mounts over his potential picks. 

Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson are guaranteed to feature for the holders at Le Golf National when the biennial transatlantic showdown gets underway on September 28.

Team USA mainstays Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar missed out on confirmed berths in the team, but are thought to be among the front-runners to earn wildcard selections from former teammate Furyk.

READ: Snedeker preserves Wyndham lead

The 48-year-old, though, was giving little away when he addressed the media during the PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship.

"We know the atmosphere will be fantastic. We know the fans will be loud and we'll be playing against a really tough team, but I've already got eight guys who will like that challenge," he said.

"Look at Brooks Koepka. It seemed like when things got tough at the [US] PGA [Championship] he played superb golf down the stretch, so that's what we're hoping for in September."

ALSO READ: Golf behind Timberwolves' draft mishap in 2009? Curry thinks so

"Right now, we have a lot of experience, so I wouldn't say that's the most important thing. If you look at our top eight, there's only one guy that hasn't played in the Ryder Cup and that's Justin Thomas."

"But, Justin won the PGA last year, he was PGA Tour Player of the Year and also won the FedExCup, so he's got plenty of experience."

Assessing the factors that will decide his picks, Furyk said: "Form and compatibility are fairly even, but I would say form might get the nod, although compatibility is a very, very close second."

ALSO READ: Snedeker leads Wyndham Championship with stunning 59

"I always like experience, but we already have it so I'm not thinking that's the most important [thing]. But, if we had four or five rookies on the team, then experience would be number one."

Four-time European Ryder Cup player Martin Kaymer, meanwhile, does not expect to receive a call from the host's skipper Thomas Bjorn.

"Do you think I deserve to be on the [team] after the way I've been playing, and with just one win in Sweden? Is that enough? I don't think so," he told Sky Sports after two encouraging rounds at the Nordea Masters.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment