United States captain Jim Furyk is embracing the underdog tag as the Americans prepare to confront a 34-year Ryder Cup drought on European soil at Adare Manor.
The US has not won an away Ryder Cup since its 1993 victory at The Belfry, losing each of the seven contests staged in Europe since.
Furyk, who captained the Americans to a 17½-10½ defeat at Le Golf National in 2018, believes that record leaves little doubt about the scale of the challenge awaiting his team in Ireland next September.
“We know what we are up against; we also know it’s been 34 years since we won in Europe,” Furyk said.
“We’re the underdogs. We understand that, and we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Europe will again be led by Luke Donald, who masterminded victories in Rome in 2023 and at Bethpage Black in 2025.
Donald is now chasing an unprecedented third consecutive Ryder Cup victory as captain, although he is reluctant to accept Furyk’s suggestion that Europe should automatically be considered favourites.
“He’s going to bring a very strong team,” Donald said of Furyk. “They’ll be coming for us but we’ll be ready.”
Furyk Targets Foursomes Improvement
One of Furyk’s biggest priorities will be addressing America’s recent struggles in foursomes.
The US collected just three of the eight available foursomes points at Bethpage in 2025, having also struggled badly in the alternate-shot format during the previous Ryder Cup in Rome.
Furyk believes preparation needs to change.
“It’s not an anomaly. There’s some issues. We understand that,” he said.
“As captains we need to do a better job – not only putting the folks into good pairings in good positions, but I don’t think we are preparing for those matches in a proper way.”
The Americans could also bring a younger look to Ireland.
Furyk highlighted the emerging talent available to the US, with 21-year-old Jackson Koivun strengthening his case after an unbeaten Presidents Cup debut at Medinah.
“I’d bet two or three of them will be at Adare,” Furyk said of America’s next generation.
Donald Preparing For New Faces
Europe could also undergo some change after Donald relied heavily on continuity between his successful 2023 and 2025 teams.
Potential Ryder Cup rookies Eugenio Chacarra, Ángel Ayora, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kristoffer Reitan were among the players recently invited to experience Adare Manor as Donald begins assessing his options.
“There’s always new talent coming up,” Donald said.
“It’s about recognising that, getting to know new players, understanding how they tick and coming up with a great plan for success.”
The 2027 Ryder Cup will be played from September 17-19 at Adare Manor in County Limerick, marking the competition’s centenary and its first visit to Ireland since the K Club in 2006.
For Furyk and the Americans, the objective is clear: find a formula capable of delivering something no US team has managed in more than three decades — winning the Ryder Cup in Europe.
