News

Jim Furyk on Patrick Reed’s comments, rumored Johnson-Koepka fight

Published

8 years ago

Oct 8, 2018

Speaking today with Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte, 2018 U.S. Team Ryder Cup Captain, Jim Furyk broke his silence on some of the rumors surrounding the fractious atmosphere among some of the U.S. players at Le Golf National.

Last week, Patrick Reed suggested that Jordan Spieth was the reason behind the breakup of their successful partnership on the course, while Reed’s wife and mother-in-law have both since criticized the pairings selected by Furyk last week in Paris. Today, however, Furyk claimed that Reed had been in the know regarding his pairing with Woods for “weeks in advance.” Reed, for his part, had said he was “blindsided” by the split.

“When I started looking at who (Tiger) would pair well with, I kept coming back to Patrick Reed. There was always the idea that we could go Tiger and JT (Justin Thomas), and Patrick and Jordan, but ultimately they knew going into the week, weeks in advance, they knew they would start the Ryder Cup with Patrick and Tiger being partners.”

Furyk also responded to claims over the fallout between good friends Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka following the heavy defeat suffered by the United States in Paris. Unlike others, Furyk didn’t refute that there had indeed been an altercation, but the 48-year-old insists that any incident that did occur was brief and insignificant.

“Whatever altercation started, or what happened, it was very brief. It was very short. Neither one of them really took anything out of it. They’re like brothers. Brothers may argue, brothers get into it. But they’re as close as they’ve ever been, and it really had no effect on either one of them.”

Reflecting on his team’s defeat in Paris, Furyk said that it has been “tough” for the last week and that the loss will “always bother me.” Despite the heavy defeat and the messy aftermath, the American re-iterated his belief in the 12 players that went to Paris with him, stating:

“I’d take those 12 players into the fire any day, on any course. And I still would. Last week didn’t work out the way we wanted, but I love those guys, and I love what we had together in the team room. And I’d do it all over again.”

What do you make of Jim Furyk’s comments?

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

20 Comments

Gimmie Hendrix

Oct 9, 2018 at 7:20 am

Since when is “loving those guys” relevant to coaching victory. Americanism. You guys won’t touch that cup for 50 years, just watch.

Reply Report comment
Christopher Hansen

Oct 8, 2018 at 8:18 pm

If the US team only knows what it’s like to compete as individuals, it’s not surprising that they couldn’t create any synergy. Learning how to set your partner up as a ‘enabler’ role is a different mindset – and that means knowing what your partners need to succeed. If they all play their own game, that’s hardly a compromise or a recipe for success. Also, none of these guys are really good links style players, and most don’t have an abundance of playing overseas where conditions can be drastically different. Showing up 1 week in advance on an international travel commitment, and following a major and some intense FedEx cup tournaments is hardly what I’d call preparing for a major team event.

Furyk is a straight shooter, and wants to win. He is one of the good guys.

Granted Furyk doesn’t appear to have a huge pile of experience in overseas play or team-based play @ the elite Pro level, but that’s not what’s holding things back.

What does EU do that USA doesn’t do? Maybe start there.

I like Tiger as the Captain for his overseas playing experience, and Furyk as a team member.

Drop Phil, he was a poor choice, and his ability to be successful in this format is questionable.

Reed can partner up with whoever they want, but until these players figure out how to play to their partner’s strengths and weaknesses, it’s not going to result in a win.

Lastly, US Tour players seem to have gotten used to plush courses with easier setups – presumably to boost low scores and generate tv ‘shock and awe’. No one who is serious about golf as a sport wants to see -22 on the leaderboard (and takes that seriously as the ultimate test of the field). We want to see the course eat up the players and really challenge them – closer to Par is expected, with some minor aggregates for 4 days of play. PGA could set these courses up a lot harder, if they chose to. maybe time to stop coddling the kids and cut the apron strings?

Reply Report comment
John

Oct 8, 2018 at 3:49 pm

At least it’s good to know that Reed doesn’t only use his mouth for eating doughnuts.

Reply Report comment
DaveyD

Oct 8, 2018 at 3:33 pm

You never lose your way if you stick to the high road.

Reply Report comment
Pru

Oct 8, 2018 at 1:56 pm

He should be POTUS at some point. He speaks well, and is a great liar.

Reply Report comment
- Travis
  
  Oct 10, 2018 at 9:43 am
  
  Sarcasm at its best!
  
  Reply Report comment
Jim

Oct 8, 2018 at 1:28 pm

Not that it’s very important, but it would be interesting to hear the real truth about this Reed-Spieth thing. Reed keeps throwing Spieth under the bus, and “calling him out” for some unknown reason. At the same time, we read that Reed had been begging to play with Tiger. Though, after Reed’s ruling comment about Spieth a few months ago, I can see why Spieth might not have wanted to partner with him.

Reply Report comment
Rusty Carr

Oct 8, 2018 at 12:42 pm

To say you would not change a thing after the results you achieved cements the opinion that you do not deserve another chance to captain the team. The captain must shoulder the blame when the team results don’t come come close to the team potential. This petty bickering is no way to win and sets a bad example for future teams.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Oct 8, 2018 at 12:28 pm

Is that kiwi polish you using now?. Nice shine on the head!

Reply Report comment
Geoffrey Holland

Oct 8, 2018 at 11:41 am

Picking a guy with a 10-20-4 record to captain a Ryder Cup team was suicidal. Simply a bad decision no matter how good of a guy he is.

Reply Report comment
- Jamie
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 3:06 pm
  
  What’s worse is that the Americans have been getting blasted at the RC for so long that one must ask if any of the 45+ YO veterans have a decent record.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Jack Nash
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 3:40 pm
  
  So was adding Woods and Mickelson. Combined 43 losses.
  
  Reply Report comment
David Ross

Oct 8, 2018 at 11:41 am

I heard Koepka jumped over the fence and beat up Johnson’s caddy… wait… wrong sport

Reply Report comment
dixiedoc

Oct 8, 2018 at 11:38 am

We need to pick the players to win the Cup not players to enhance the viewership (Phil and Tiger). The players should also realize the old cliche that there is no I in team

Reply Report comment
- Scheiss
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 1:58 pm
  
  Eldrick knows nothing about team
  
  Reply Report comment
  - JP
    
    Oct 8, 2018 at 10:40 pm
    
    Tiger said he’s a tiem player.
    
    Reply Report comment
Paul Vicaru

Oct 8, 2018 at 11:18 am

Jimmy has always been a straight shooter. You may not always agree with his message but the man has no hidden agenda. Just sorry it didn’t work out for him this year. He truly is one of the good guys

Reply Report comment
- Dan Konold
  
  Oct 8, 2018 at 12:22 pm
  
  Amen.
  
  Reply Report comment
- geohogan
  
  Dec 21, 2018 at 5:04 pm
  
  Jim has character. Something Reed knows nothing about.
  
  Usa needs team players. Reed regardless of his standings should never be on another Ryder Cup, along with Phil and Tiger. Time for new blood.
  
  Brooks, “juice” Koepka should fly with Ernie “now lets fight” Els.
  Pay for view, anyone?
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase