The term “mulligan” is central to the language of golf. In essence – it means you get a “do over” for a specific golf shot.
In real life – people and the circumstances they find themselves in usually preclude such “do over” moments.
After the debacle in losing last year’s Ryder Cup on home soil at Bethpage the PGA of America had a clear opportunity to reassess the lessons learned and what to do with the 2027 matches scheduled for Adare Manor in Limerick Ireland (September 13-19).
The PGA of America announced last week to take a “mulligan” when the clear and obvious choice of Tiger Woods for the USA’s captaincy was not going to happen with the 15-time major winner pulling himself out of the running after being arrested for a second time and charged with driving under the influence.
Woods stated he would need the time to sort out personal matters and is now rehabbing outside the country prior to his upcoming court appearance.
With a cupboard bare of top tier choices, the PGA of America opted for a most familiar name — Jim Furyk.
The Furyk selection was expectantly praised by those within the organization.
“Jim Furyk has been an influential figure in the United States team room for nearly three decades,” said Nathan Charnes, PGA of America Vice President. “He is a trusted, widely-respected leader and possesses a wealth of Ryder Cup experience that can only serve to strengthen our team.
Furyk was also predictably appreciative of the honor bestowed upon him.
“The opportunity to captain the US Ryder Cup Team for a second time is a tremendous honor,” said Furyk. “I am deeply grateful to the PGA of America Ryder Cup Committee for entrusting me to lead our team into the 46th Ryder Cup. My passion for the Ryder Cup and dedication to the US Team have never been stronger. Having previously captained the team, I understand the responsibilities and immense pride that come with this role.
“I look forward to drawing on that experience while incorporating some new ideas as we prepare for 2027. I am committed to putting our players in the best position to succeed as we work to reclaim the Cup on European soil.”
Keep in mind, the PGA of America had set a “soft” deadline this spring in naming the US captain. This would be a clear departure from the dreadful wait and see approach the organization had taken before Keegan Bradley was announced captain on July 8, 2024. The brain trust of the organization had courted Woods before coming to the realization that they needed to move on with another choice.
The Furyk selection, while hardly imaginative, puts in place a name that lends itself more to stability. But does stability actually produce a final result that means the US team taking back the Cup? A feat that has become a heavy lift in recent years. And what of the mental scars that have accumulated in those years — no less than upon Furyk himself?
The quest for a USA victory in the Ryder Cup will be a tall mountain to climb — especially given the desire to do so on Irish soil. The American side has not won on European soil since 1993. Furyk captained the team previously at the 2018 matches in Paris and that resulted in a lopsided loss by seven points.
The highlight video from the Paris matches showcased a floundering American team that needed a compass to find fairways on a consistent basis.
Overall, in the last 20 matches contested the USA squad has won only six times. That’s not a rivalry but a clear dominance by the Euros.
It was at those matches in Paris that Furyk opted in selecting Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau as three of his four captain picks. Collectively, the trio sported a record of 0-9. No misprint. Zero, nada, goose eggs on the overall tally. The onus on Furyk to improve his selection process will be one to watch with immense interest as he now has six slots to fill out his roster.
Furyk’s involvement in the Ryder Cup stretches back as a player in 1997. He has represented the US in 14 consecutive editions of the Ryder Cup, serving as a player, vice-captain and captain. The West Chester, Pennsylvania, native becomes the ninth person to captain multiple US Ryder Cup teams. The success rate of captains who have returned in recent years is a mixed bag.
Davis Love III lost at Medinah in 2012 and came back four years later to win at Hazeltine National. However, Tom Watson won in 1993 at The Belfry but when selected to return for the matches in Scotland in 2012 lost at Gleneagles.
Furyk’s overall record in Ryder Cup play is also on the bleak side.
The 55-year-old played in 34 matches between 1997 and 2014. His overall record was 10-20-4 – producing a paltry total of just 12 points.
So, what to make of the American captaincy? After the loss in Paris the American squad rebounded with Steve Stricker at the helm and won decisively at Whistling Straits in 2021.
It appeared likely following the matches in Wisconsin that Mickelson would take the helm. But then Lefty opted to bolt the PGA Tour in 2022 for LIV Golf. The honor – or more aptly the curse — fell upon Zach Johnson and that team went down in glorious flames in Rome.
The PGA of America had hoped that both Mickelson and Woods would serve as captains for a number of future matches. Who knew that neither has been selected to date and candidly there’s no certainty either will ever be chosen. Think of the odds you would have received from FanDuel for such a wager?
There’s little doubt that the fanfare of who the captain is gets tied into what the final result of the matches are. When you win – you get more credit than deserved. The same goes when on the short end of the stick.
Luke Donald is praised for his stewardship in winning two consecutive matches – both in Rome and New York. But the matches at Bethpage featured a stirring American comeback the last day and without the shotmaking prowess of Shane Lowry on the final hole against Russell Henley the result could have turned out differently. Would Donald have been crucified for the loss if that had happened? Generally, that’s what happens in such circumstances.
Ultimately, it falls upon the players themselves to perform. If they don’t produce when the light shines on them, why is it that the dark cloud hovers for a longer term on who the captain happens to be? Someone has to take the “hit” and the captain fits the role perfectly for easy mention and ultimate crucification.
Furyk’s success as captain will hinge on a number of elements. Does he have any reflection on what went wrong with his effort in Paris? What does he plan on doing differently this time around? How will he handle any dissension among the ranks of his team? The minefield any Ryder Cup captain faces can be an exhausting one.
Given the names available one has to wonder if not Furyk then who? Brandt Snedeker will captain this year’s US Presidents Cup team at Medinah so a future nod at the helm of a Ryder Cup squad could loom if victory happens in Illinois in late September. The other possibilities are just that — possibilities.
Jim Furyk will have his swan song with the ’27 matches in Ireland. The end result could result in being one of the very few to have won the biennial affair on the other team’s soil. That would be a truly remarkable accomplishment. The US predicament could well mean the darkest of the night happens just prior to a glorious sunrise.
However, there is a flip side to that coin. Another loss would only mean more recriminations. And Furyk would then bear the brunt of such criticisms whether fair or unfair. Credit Furyk for stepping into what is likely going to be a cauldron of immense heat.
Fitting finale or failing flop?
The Furyk forecast is one where the skies can change either way.
In short — stay tuned.
