Furyk ready for Ryder on back of $10million FedEx bonus
As one of the US team to touchdown at Cardiff Airport earlier today in preparation for the Ryder Cup, Jim Furyk could be forgiven for looking more bleary-eyed than normal.
Furyk had just “enjoyed” a flight from the USA, and the American has been the butt of various jokes since he overslept and missed the pro-am tournament five weeks ago that saw him unceremoniously dumped out of the Barclay's, the first play-off event of which this week's Tour Championship formed the climax. Not that Furyk's enforced exit made much difference to the affable American.
It's not just sleepiness that might have left Furyk feeling tired and emotional today, however. Though Corey Pavin was keeping schtum, odds are that Furyk may have enjoyed a celebratory drink or two on his flight over this morning. The 40-year-old is doubtless still in high spirits, having secured victory at the climax of the PGA Tour's season on Sunday, the Tour Championship.
For winning that event, Furyk pocketed $1.3million, but the tour finale also counts towards the outcome of the FedEx Cup; Furyk's top placed finish in Georgia was enough to see him bag first place in that competition, thus racking up a mind-blowing $10million bonus. That works out as around £7.2million in total.
In driving rain, Furyk held off a spirited charge from England's Luke Donald on Sunday afternoon, and the pair may yet meet up again during the three days of the Ryder Cup later this week. Donald finished a stroke behind the American after a thrilling closing few holes, the 32-year-old chipping in from more than 90 feet for a birdie on the 17th.
And Donald must have fancied his chances when Furyk found a bunker on the 18th - only to find his way out, putting for par. That left Donald in second place (his 10th runner up finish on the PGA Tour), along with the considerable consolation of $1.3million for finishing third overall in the FedEx Cup - the USA's Matt Kuchar was second.
Speaking after the megabucks win, the newly-minted Furyk told reporters: "There was a lot riding on my round today, a lot riding down the stretch in some terrible weather. Although it didn't look pretty the last three, I was able to get the job done and win again, and this is very special."
That was a more composed Furyk than the man who had appeared minutes before, at the trophy presentation. "What a special year. I've never had a three-win season," Furyk began, but when asked about the 'support team' of his wife and parents, Furyk joked: "now you're going to make me cry," before appearing to be on the verge of doing just that, continuing: "I grew up in the game with my father being my teacher, my mom took a job when I was in high school so they could send me round the country -" here, Furyk swallowed and added in a trembling voice: "told you," before pulling himself together.
The victory at East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta gives him a shot at landing the award of PGA Tour Player of the Year. It has also pushed Furyk's world ranking up to No. 5, at Martin Kaymer's expense - the German swaps places with Furyk.
That means that four of the world's top five players are Americans (the exception being world No. 3, Lee Westwood); Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Furyk are all set to clash with Colin Montgomerie's European team when the biennial tournament tees off this Friday.
After that astronomical win on Sunday, the 2003 US Open winner may well be hot-to-trot in Wales - but equally, even after his heroics in rainy weather at the Tour Championship this week, is there any danger that Newport's dank climate may see the Florida-dwelling Furyk pining for home comforts?
"If you can't get up for the Ryder Cup, there's something wrong," Furyk said. "You're representing your country and doing it with 11 of your friends and your teammates and guys that I admire."
In other words, on Sunday Furyk was just putting for dough. The Ryder Cup can transcend even 11 million bucks, it seems.
Tags: