Furyk: We changed culture after Gleneagles car crash to get us on road to a Paris double
Jim Furyk insists a change in culture rather than personnel will be the key to breaking Europe’s Ryder Cup dominance on home soil.
Not since 1993 at The Belfry have the USA returned across the Atlantic with the trophy.
It was the last time they strung together back-to-back
victories with Europe winning eight of the following 11 clashes.
But after Phil Mickelson’s controversial outburst directed at 2014 skipper Tom Watson in the wake of a Gleneagles rout, the US enjoyed a resounding success at Hazeltine.
When Furyk announced three of his wild cards last week the
likes of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were in the room to applaud his choices.
And ahead of this month’s Paris clash, Furyk said: “We started changing the culture four years ago immediately post-Gleneagles and that’s why 2016 at Hazeltine was a huge step forward.
“In order to take the next step we want to have a winning
record and the maths are pretty simple as in order to do that you have to start winning in a row.
“We head to France with a first opportunity to achieve that. In saying that I’m very proud of the guys we have and very confident in their ability.
“But then I am also acutely aware of the difficulties we have had over there in Europe and the conditions of playing
on the road. We will be trying to turn back 25 years of just one-way traffic on European soil and on a course the European players know very well. That is something I am very aware of.
“I am looking for players who want to seize that opportunity who really thrive in those conditions and I will also be thinking the same way as a cap-
tain too. I see this year’s Ryder Cup as an opportunity and I am looking forward to it.”
Furyk will announce his final wild-card pick tomorrow with his choice seemingly down to two rookies – Xander Schauffele and Tony Finau.
Schauffele was next on the points table behind his three other wild cards – Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson
and Tiger Woods – but Finau has three seconds this season.
The two hopefuls both tee up today for the final round of the BMW Championship in Pennsylvania knowing victory could swing the selection their way.
Schauffele, 24, said: “I feel like a win is the only way I’d even be in consideration. Tony is the guy right now. He’s not making
it easy on anyone else trying to get on that team, so hats off to him for playing really well.”
Finau, 28, said: “It is no coincidence two good players like Xander and myself are playing well at the right time.
“I know if I win this tournament, that Ryder Cup spot is mine. That is where my attention is and I am sure where Xander’s is as well.”