Jim Furyk refuses to rule out Ryder Cup player-captain role in 2018
Wednesday 11 January 2017 21:30, UK
Jim Furyk admits he is fully focused on being the USA Ryder Cup captain in 2018, but hasn’t ruled out the possibility of also playing at Le Golf National.
The 46-year-old was named as the USA's 28th Ryder Cup captain in history and will succeed Davis Love III, who guided America to a 17-11 victory at Hazeltine last autumn.
Furyk played in nine consecutive Ryder Cups between 1997 and 2014 and was a contender for a captain's pick last year, before eventually being involved in the tournament as one of Love's assistants.
The world No 37 intends to play regularly on the PGA Tour and could become the first skipper since Arnold Palmer in 1963 to act as player-captain, but Furyk admits it's far too soon for that to be discussed.
"As far as making the team, my major concern is being the captain," Furyk told Sky Sports News HQ. "If I were able being very successful next year and I was in that mix, then that's something we can talk about then.
"I plan on keeping a fairly similar schedule to what I've had done for the past couple of years, and I plan on still playing 18-20 tournaments worldwide.
"It's really putting the cart before the horse right now and I've been asked that question a lot, but my main focus right now is to be the captain in 2018."
The USA will head to France looking for their first win away from home since they last successfully defended the Ryder Cup in 1993.
Europe will be skippered by Thomas Bjorn in 2018 and Furyk is relishing the opportunity to go head-to-head with the Dane.
"It's a big challenge to go and try to win on away soil," Furyk added. "I look at Thomas as a friend, who will be a great leader and will have a wonderful, talented team.
"We've not played in matches together in a Ryder Cup, but we've played in teams against each other. He has a lot of experience as a vice-captain and him and I have always been friends.
"I'm going to have a lot of great help and a lot of great resources here, not only from the PGA of America but from my vice-captains.
"I know they [Europe] will want to change the outcome from 2016, the fans there are fantastic and with the French Open there they'll have a significant home course advantage."
