US Ryder Cup team has ‘25 years of scars’

Captain Jim Furyk believes the United States have “25 years of scars” to overcome to retain the Ryder Cup in Paris next year.

The last time the United States won the biennial contest on European soil was in 1993, with the most recent defeat at Gleneagles in 2014 prompting a public row between Phil Mickelson and captain Tom Watson.

That also led to the formation of a taskforce – of which Furyk was a member – to examine all aspects of the Ryder Cup process, and it paid instant dividends with a comprehensive victory at Hazeltine last year.

European captain Thomas Bjorn will look to make the most of home advantage when the two sides meet at Le Golf National, which his players should know well after contesting the French Open there – with two exceptions – since 1991.

“We have 25 years of scars to overcome,” Furyk said at a press conference in Paris.

“That being said, I will have a lot of young talent on my team and I’m anxious to see how they handle that challenge.

“Europe has handled those away matches far better in the last 25 years than we have.

“We might have to take a page from their book and try to figure it out.

“Hopefully the young guys will react a little better than we have in the past.

“They are a tight-knit group and it’s been fun that they’ve sparked some energy, not only on the golf course but in the team room.”

European captain Thomas Bjorn promised to do “everything in his power” to help regain the trophy having experienced his first loss at Hazeltine after three wins as a player and three as vicecaptain.

“Those Sunday nights when we’ve won Ryder Cups are some of the moments I will treasure the most in my life,” Bjorn said.

“It motivates you but just winning motivates you.

“I will do everything in (my) power to deliver a team that can win the Ryder Cup.”

“Europe has handled those away matches far better. JIM FURYK