U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk told reporters at Adare Manor in Ireland on Tuesday that he would be delighted to see Patrick Reed earn a place among the 12 best American golfers for the 2027 competition. “If Patrick Reed is one of those, that’s great,” Furyk said, noting that it has been a long time since Reed was in the U.S. team room.
Reed’s recent comeback
Reed, who has not played in a Ryder Cup since the 2018 event in Paris, left the LIV Golf circuit in 2022 and chose not to renew his LIV contract this year. He now leads the European Tour points list, which virtually guarantees his return to the PGA Tour next season. Ranked No. 29 in the world, Reed could qualify for major events if he remains in the top 30 when entry deadlines arrive.
Furyk’s qualification changes
Furyk explained that he has already altered the U.S. qualification system for the upcoming matches at Adare Manor. No player will begin earning points toward the team until the 2027 season, a move intended to give emerging talent a fair chance while still rewarding consistent performance.
Six players will qualify automatically, and Furyk will have six captain’s picks to complete the roster for the September 17‑19 matches.
Addressing foursomes struggles
The captain also used the press conference to confront the United States’ recent difficulties in the foursomes format. Over the last two Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, the U.S. has been outgained 26‑8 in foursomes, with a 13‑3 deficit to Europe in Ryder Cup play. “I know those numbers very, very well,” Furyk said. “It’s not an anomaly. There are issues, and I plan on making some changes.”
Furyk pledged to improve preparation, pairing strategy, and practice routines for the alternate‑shot format. “I promise you, we will be prepared. I’m going to ask this team to do more than any other United States team has in the past,” he asserted.
Looking ahead
Furyk indicated that prospective players will be invited to train at Adare Manor during the two‑week window surrounding the Scottish Open and the British Open next summer. He emphasized the depth of American talent, saying the team should not settle for a poor record in the alternate‑shot format.
European captain Luke Donald, returning for his third stint, echoed a similar sentiment about competitiveness. “I have zero complacency about how strong the U.S. are going to be. On paper, they tend to be stronger than us through the world rankings,” Donald said. He praised Furyk’s behind‑the‑scenes work on the qualification system and expressed confidence that both captains will find the edges needed for victory.
Historical context
Furyk’s own tenure as captain in 2018 at Le Golf National was marked by a challenging course set‑up and mixed results, with the U.S. finishing 0‑7‑0 that week. Nonetheless, the experience has informed his current approach to team selection and preparation.
As the Ryder Cup draws nearer, American fans can look forward to a transparent selection process, a renewed focus on foursomes preparation, and the potential return of a seasoned competitor in Patrick Reed.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
