While the Ryder Cup is the most intense event in all of golf, the pressure is largely off the PGA of America going into 2027 simply due to how low the expectations are.
Team USA have not won on the road since 1993. They are coming up against a European side that has once again transformed into a well-oiled machine since their record loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Have America made a mistake appointing Jim Furyk as captain?
So while the appointment of Jim Furyk as the US captain was uninspiring, it looked to be a reasonably smart move from the PGA of America – provided that the team begins to put the foundations in place that allow them to finally close the gap to Europe.
The PGA of America have repeated a mistake from the 2025 Ryder Cup
The 2025 Ryder Cup saw the PGA of America appoint Keegan Bradley as captain. In truth, it appeared to be a bizarre attempt to make things up to Bradley, who arguably should have been on the 2023 team.
Bradley’s disappointment at being overlooked by Zach Johnson for Rome had been caught by the Full Swing cameras. And it seemed that they lacked a backup plan once Tiger Woods turned the 2025 captaincy down.
While Furyk looks to be a much more sensible choice, it does appear that the PGA of America have still fallen into a similar trap.
Furyk’s appointment caught many off-guard because he has performed the role before.
But Furyk oversaw a heavy loss in France back in 2018. So it is no surprise that Brandel Chamblee was calling for Justin Leonard to succeed Bradley.
Meanwhile, Paul Azinger wanted Leonard, Stewart Cink, or David Toms to be named captain. Similarly, Johnson Wagner told CBS Sports this week that he was against Furyk’s appointment. He wanted either Cink or Webb Simpson to be given a chance.
Team USA look to correct past mistakes rather than look forward at the Ryder Cup
It is bizarre that Team USA seem to turn back to previous captains after a number of years away, with Furyk following in the footsteps of Tom Watson and Davis Love III.
Leonard sunk one of the most famous putts in Ryder Cup history in 1999. Meanwhile, Cink won 8.5 points from 19 matches during his Ryder Cup career, a very respectable return.
And it seems that the PGA of America have accepted that they may have made an error, with both men named as Furyk’s first two assistant captains for Adare Manor.
The problem is that both men are in their early 50s with no experience of being the captain. This is not the same as Luke Donald including Thomas Bjorn and Jose Maria Olazabal in his backroom team.
This does not feel like a step forward. Furyk should be taking the likes of Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, and perhaps even Rickie Fowler under his wing. Those are the names who should be leading the team over the next decade.
Instead, it appears that the PGA of America have once again looked to make appointments that primarily make amends for past mistakes.
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