Who said the Presidents Cup lacks passion?
Golfweek’s Adam Schupak detailed a recent interview with U.S. Presidents Cup captain Jim Furyk, in which the normally mild-mannered golfer took exception to one particular question.
Schupak told Furyk it would help the biennial event if the International team (the best golfers in the world outside of Europe) beat the Americans next week in Montreal and he was rooting for them to do so.
Furyk recounted a story from the 2017 Presidents Cup, which was held at Liberty National.
“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.’” Furyk said.
“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 suppose 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? I’ve seen grown men cry in the locker room because they’re upset and I’ve seen how much it means to them when they do play well. I know what you’re saying, but do you know how offended I am?’ He said, ‘Well, I’m sorry.’ I said, ‘No, you should know better.’
And apparently Furyk thought Shupak should have, too.
“So it’s not like I’m killing you right now, but f–k you. Go f–k yourself. You can quote me on that one,” Furyk said.
There have been 14 Presidents Cups with the U.S. winning 12 of them, losing once in 1998 and tying once in 2003.
The event is played during off-years for the Ryder Cup, which is known for its emotional twists and turns and rowdy crowds.
While the International team has not won in 25 years, the results — particularly when they host the event — have been getting closer.
In 2015, the Americans won 15.5-14.5 in South Korea and then in Australia in 2019, it was 16-14.
This year, the event is a little closer to US soil, just north of the border at The Royal Montreal Golf Club, and it will be interesting to see what kind of home advantage the International squad gets.
The team does have three Canadians — Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes, Taylor Pendrith — on the squad.
“Wherever those three go, you’ll definitely know it,” Furyk told the magazine. “I’ll be curious whether he partners them together, or if they split them up. All I know is we need to worry about us, our process, what we’re trying to do and take care of our business.”