"I've seen the tears" - US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk hits out at lack of camaraderie claim

United States Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk says he "doesn't buy" into the notion that American golfers don't care about the biennial contest against Europe as he outlined how Team USA can turn their fortunes around. 

Furyk, 55, will lead the United States in 2027 when the Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in Ireland. 

He was given the job three weeks ago and the decision by the PGA of America to appoint the 2003 U.S. Open champion raised eyebrows in some parts considering he previously captained the side in Paris when Europe sealed a dominant 17½-10½ victory at Le Golf National. 

"To say that our team doesn't bond or that we don't get along or it's just not the same, I'm just not buying in," Furyk told reporters on Wednesday ahead of the PGA Championship. 

"I think it's a low-hanging fruit. It's an easy way to describe why a talented team didn't get the W. I've said it, and I'm going to continue to say it, I don't buy it.

"I've been in that team room. I've seen the joy. I saw [the joy in] '21, the cigars, the hugs, the beers, you name it. I've also seen the tears, and I've seen guys and what it really means to them to be a Ryder Cup player.

"I know how special it was for me to play in the Ryder Cup. It's my favourite event. So I don't buy that, but I think it's an easy way to figure out why we haven't been successful, but it's not the right way."

Furyk will take the reins from Keegan Bradley. 

Bradley was named as the surprise choice to succeed Zach Johnson after Tiger Woods turned down the role and was given only 18 months to prepare for the showdown at Bethpage Black. 

The build-up to the 2025 Ryder Cup was dominated by chatter over whether Bradley would pick himself and become the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer. 

Only this week did Bradley claim that he was finally starting to feel better after the crushing defeat 15-13 home defeat. 

Furyk said Bradley could have been put in a much better position for success.

He said that he didn't put his hat into the ring for the job but was hoping to be approached. 

The PGA of America tapped up Furyk a week before the 2026 Masters. 

Going forward, Furyk said "we need to start making the Ryder Cup more of a priority each and every year".

"[When] the Ryder Cup is over. We decompress. We let it go for six months. We brought Keegan in even later than this last year. He had less than 18 months to prepare. And that's a guy who never even served as vice captain. So he played a lot of catch-up, if that makes sense."

He added: "The idea of more continuity, more continuity for future captains, more continuity for the players year in and year out, and that includes Presidents Cup is in my mind as well. 

"We've been carrying that knowledge along under some great captains, under the Davis Loves and the Freddie Couples and the Steve Strickers, and then myself kind of working with those guys. 

"We've been kind of passing that information along, but I just really feel like it could be in a more organised manner."

Furyk was asked whose fault it was than past captains haven't been put in the best place for success. 

He refused to point the finger, explaining:  "We're all in this together from the PGA of America to Team USA to our captains to our players.

"But I believe we had a vision in '14 that got us to a certain point. I just don't think we evolved along the way. 

"So whether it's PGA of America and its captains along the way probably could have done a better job together creating a better team atmosphere."

Furyk said there were plenty of areas to make improvements, from logistics to travel. 

But the glaring problem?

Foursomes. 

"We're like 6-20 in foursomes the last three matches," said Furyk. 

"Right now, that's first and foremost on my mind. We cannot continue to dig the holes we are on Friday and Saturday. 

"I think a lot of that happens behind the scenes. That happens in a number of different ways, but I'll go, first and foremost, I don't think we're preparing for that session very well. The Euros made a key move.

"We've liked the foursomes first in the past. The Euros made a key move in Rome and actually put that session first, for the first time in a long time. They realised that they thought they had an advantage, and it showed glaringly."

"We haven't spoken yet"

Tiger Woods could still play a role in the US Ryder Cup team, according to Furyk. 

He was the favourite to lead Team USA next September before his latest car crash and arrest. 

Furyk said he still hasn't spoken to the 50-year-old. 

"I think, out of kind of courtesy and for him, his family, and I know maybe a road to health, I haven't reached out, but I will," he said. 

"We'll see where that role may fall."