Jim Furyk’s Bold Decision on Tiger Woods and Presidents Cup Picks

Jim Furyk’s Bold Decision on Tiger Woods and Presidents Cup Picks

U.S. Presidents Cup captain Jim Furyk revealed that he did not consult Tiger Woods before finalizing his six wildcard selections for the 2024 team. Furyk, who previously led the U.S. team to a surprising defeat in the 2018 event, is optimistic about this year’s competition.

The 15th edition of the Presidents Cup kicks off on Thursday at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Quebec, Canada. Unlike the Ryder Cup, which features a formidable European team, the U.S. squad is heavily favored to win, with bookmakers giving them odds of 2/5.

Furyk’s captain’s picks included Max Homa, Sahith Theegala, Keegan Bradley, Tony Finau, Brian Harman, and Sam Burns. Homa’s selection, despite being in a rough patch recently, raised eyebrows among fans who believed Justin Thomas or Akshay Bhatia would have been better choices. Furyk defended Homa by highlighting his impressive track record in recent competitions, including an undefeated record in Charlotte and strong performances in the last two renewals of the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup.

Furyk emphasized Homa’s emotional leadership and ability to unify the team, calling him “the glue” that holds the group together. He noted Homa’s strong social media presence and connection with fans as additional attributes that make him valuable.

Woods, currently recovering from his sixth back surgery, is not expected to compete until the PNC Championship in December. As the U.S. team aims for another victory—having not lost a Presidents Cup since 1998—Furyk remains confident in his selections and the team’s potential to succeed in Canada.