After the U.S. has lost a Ryder Cup, it is often said that there was a lack in team spirit or dissension.
Jim Furyk is the host of the PGA Tour Champions Constellation Furyk & friends at the Timuquana Country Club this week. He heard it when he was a Ryder Cup captain and player. And he hears it again now that he served as Zach Johnson’s Vice Captain in Rome last weekend, where the U.S. fell to Europe by a score of 16.5-11.5.
He said that reports of disunity were “absolutely false.”
Furyk, during a press conference on Tuesday to promote the World Champions Cup – a match play event in December for PGA Tour Champions Players – said: “I was there every single night.” “Those 12 men really bonded and got along. I know that we are disappointed we did not bring the cup to the United States, but I can tell you and I will stand by it: those 12 guys got along really well and supported one another. “As captains, we could not have asked for more.”
Furyk said that reports that Patrick Cantlay had ostracized him from the team, and refused to wear the USA hat in competition because he was not paid for playing in the Ryder Cup are false.
The rumors spread so fast that European fans were seen removing their hats and donning them in a mocking manner whenever Cantlay walked past.
Team USA vice-captain Jim Furyk speaks to Team USA golfers Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns at a practice session for the Ryder Cup competition, held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Adam Cairns – USA TODAY Sports
Furyk stated that this resulted in an act of U.S. unity when the team and caddies removed their hats to wave them at the crowd after Cantlay won a fourball match on Saturday with Wyndham against Rory McIlroy & Matthew Fitzpatrick by birdieing his last three golf holes.
He said, “I don’t know where [rumors about team discord] came from. Especially after you saw Patrick with the guys raising their caps in front of green.” “He was beaten up a lot that day, either by the media or the fans for not wearing a cap, or speculations that he did not want to wear an American flag. I think you could see the players’ support.”
Furyk explained that Cantlay chose not to wear a cap because he couldn’t find one to fit.
Furyk stated, “Pat he has a large head.” “We’re having a difficult time getting him to wear a hat. He hasn’t wore a hat in three or four years at the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup. “If he’s birdieing 16, 17, and 18, then he can wear anything he wants.”
