Furyk does not have the demons but neither does he have the X-factor and without wishing to be cruel, in the Ryder Cup he actually has the L-factor. It appears to be a sorry state and the odds on Donald achieving an unprecedented hat-trick have only shortened.
Of course Donald will not wallow in public and, naturally, there is the possibility of Furyk having learned from la débâcle in France. He is a winning Presidents Cup captain but, let’s face it, that match between the US and the Internationals is to the Ryder Cup what the Autoglass Trophy was to the Champions League – and the players all like and admire “Blue-collar” Jim and will vow to rally around him.
Sure, Europe have won 11 of the last 15 matches, but maybe Furyk will tell his men “Who Adares Wins” and they will rise to end the torment. The PGA of America – an association so toothless they should really be in charge of the World Gurning Championship – would slap its own back in that scenario.
Yet, while Europe’s winning template continues to be revered and followed – even in the wake of all the LIV Golf turmoil – the opposition carries on thrashing around in the dark, with no conceivable long-term game plan. From Keegan Bradley, a left-field shocker who was truly awful in the buggy with an earpiece, to Furyk, who has already been terrible in the role… the Ryder Cup probably deserves better.