PGA Tour star sends crystal clear message to US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk

Rising PGA Tour star Jackson Koivun has urged United States Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk to start honing his foursomes strategy ahead of the 2027 showdown.

Furyk's dozen will clash with Luke Donald's Europe next September at Adare Manor in Ireland. 

The Americans have not claimed an away Ryder Cup victory since 1993 and are looking to avoid losing three in a row. 

Furyk will need his side to significantly improve in one key area if the United States are to triumph in County Limerick as the United States golf team have won just eight of their 34 alternate-shot matches across the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup since 2023.

Koviun, who recently made his senior Team USA debut at the 2026 Presidents Cup, told the most recent of edition No Laying Up podcast that his solution is pretty simple.

"I think it's just practicing it more," he said. 

"I think in singles we play really, really well. Best ball we are fine. 

"And then alternate shot, statistically we have not been that great."

He added: "I think getting comfortable in that format, where the Europeans have played that since they have been younger and playing those team events where in the US it's a little different.

"I think practicing that and getting more comfortable having a nice, sturdy, solid plan going into the Ryder Cup and not going away from that too would be my suggestion."

Koivun amassed a record of 2-0-1 for Team USA at the Presidents Cup. 

He partnered Justin Thomas in the fourballs, winning one match and tying another. 

He didn't participate in the alternate shot format and defeated South Korea's Si Woo Kim 2&1 in his singles match. 

Still, he has experience in foursomes. 

"It's very easy to gain momentum and very easy to lose momentum," he added.

"It is a weird format. I do definitely enjoy playing it.

"I played two matches with Tommy Morrison at Cypress Point [at the 2025 Walker Cup] and he has been killing it, but we play similar golf and I think that is part of the key to alternate shot.

"It's playing with guys who are similar to you.

"Me personally, if I get put with a guy who hits it 360 in alternate shot, it might put me in some spots I am not used to but if I’m playing with someone who plays the game in a similar way it is easier to get into a rhythm and a flow and gain that momentum."

Team USA are underdogs - Furyk

Furyk and his counterpart were at Adare Manor last week. 

In their news conference, Furyk said his team will be underdogs when they attempt to end a 30-year streak without an away victory in the Ryder Cup. 

Furyk oversaw who oversaw a 17½-10½ loss to Europe in France in 2018, was handed a second stint as captain earlier this year after the PGA of America decided not to give Keegan Bradley another chance. 

"We know what we are up against, we also know it's been 34 years since we won in Europe," Furyk said, adding that he has not closed the door on Tiger Woods having a role in the leadership team.

"There is no secret, I'm going to hear it over and over again so I am going to embrace it.

"Luke and Dodo [Edoardo Molinari, vice-captain] have the opportunity to set the golf course up, tip the scales for Europe. We're the underdogs.

"I know it's always been the Americans who seem to be the favourites, this year there is no chance that could happen. We are the underdogs, we understand that and we have a lot of work ahead of us."

For his part, Donald said his team, statistically, are always the underdogs on paper. 

"He's going to bring a very strong team, that's why I'm not quite so certain that they'll definitely be the underdogs," said Donald.

"They'll be strong and will be coming for us but we'll be ready."

The Englishman, who won four Ryder Cups as a player, added that his team is likely to look significantly different in 2027.

"Certainly something unique was that we had a lot of continuity with the last two teams but I expect that to shift a little bit for this one," he added. 

"There's always new talent coming up, it's about recognising that, getting to know new players, understanding how they tick and coming up with a great plan for success."