Jim Furyk launched into an extraordinary rant after taking issue with a reporter’s line of questioning ahead of the Presidents Cup. The 54-year-old will captain Team USA next week as they look to maintain their dominance over the International Team in Quebec.
They are the overwhelming favourites to claim the spoils, with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa among their representatives. Over the tournament’s 30-year history, Team USA have triumphed in 12 of the 14 matches played.
The only time the International Team have won the Presidents Cup was in 1998, while the two teams agreed to share the trophy in 2003. It has been argued that a rare victory for the underdogs could boost the profile of the tournament and attract higher viewing figures.
On Thursday, Furyk was asked if a Team USA defeat would be a good thing for the tournament. He responded by tearing into the reporter with a foul-mouthed rant after being left frustrated by the line of questioning.
“You’ve got to understand, I do actually take offence at that,” replied Furyk. “I don’t hate you but it’s a pretty s****y thing to say.
“I was in New York helping out Steve Stricker at Liberty National and a very high-ranking official at the PGA Tour said: ‘Good luck this week’. Just the way he said it, it was so back-handed. I said: ‘You know, I’m not exactly sure I know what that’s supposed to mean’.
“He said: ‘Well, you know, it would really help the event.’ I said: ‘Really? Did you ever play anything in your entire life as a competitor? Because I’d rather you not even say good luck than say it and not even mean it’.
“Do you know how hard, how many hours, the captains work to try to win these matches? Do you know how hard and how much effort the players, how hard they take it when they don’t play well?
Furyk added that he had seen ‘grown men cry’ in the locker room due to the emotion of representing their country in the Presidents Cup. The reporter quickly apologised for any offence caused but Furyk was not having it and continued to berate him.
“No, you should know better,” he said. “So it’s not like I’m killing you right now, but f**k. Go f**k yourself. You can quote me on that one.”
