Newly-appointed US Ryder Cup skipper Jim Furyk announced Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard as assistant captains for Adare Manor last night, but his first captain's pick did not fare as well in the Kentucky Derby.
Speaking before the big race at Churchill Downs last night in his first interview as skipper, Furyk tipped Renegade and his jockey Irad Ortiz Jnr to make history and become the first horse in 40 years to win when drawn in stall one.
“I'm a Steeler fan,” Furyk told NBC. "Renegade (the Styx song that's become the NFL team's anthem) is the favourite. I get it. And right at the heart and soul of Pittsburgh Steeler football is Renegade, right?
"So there's a common bond here I've been looking at. So, you got (Irad) Ortiz Jr, the best jockey. He's on Renegade, but, you know, he's got the streak, 0-9 at the Derby. Renegade's going out against the rail.
"It's been 40 years since a horse has won on the rail. You know what? Guess what? It's been 34 years since we've won the Ryder Cup on European soil. So I've got a bond with these folks. And I'm cheering for Renegade."
Furyk's hunch nearly paid off as Renegade made a great run for the line but was beaten by a neck by Golden Temple, ridden by Ortiz’s brother, José Ortiz, who became only the ninth jockey ever to pull off the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby double.
As for Furyk, who returns as captain after leading the USA to a 17.5-10.5 thrashing in Paris in 2016, he will be bidding to lead the US to its first away win in the Ryder Cup since 1993 and stop Luke Donald from becoming the first captain to win three matches in a row.
"I think it's really the players," Furyk said of his reason for taking the job again. "I mean, I've gotten to know this generation really well through Presidents' Cups, Ryder Cups. I love these guys.
"They show heart, grit, passion. I see how much they love to compete, and I know how badly they want to win the Ryder Cup.
“And so I love team sports. I love banding together, pulling together, being with these guys in the locker room. And that's the reason.
"I've got to really thank the PGA of America, our Ryder Cup committee, for entrusting me with this group.
“And as you mentioned, I need to take that 30 years of (Ryder Cup) experience, I need to pour it into Adare Manor and put these guys in a great position so they can succeed."
As for the appointment of Cink and Leonard as vice-captains, he said: "Both have some experience in away Ryder Cups, Presidents Cups,
"Stewart has a lot of experience. Five Ryder Cups himself. He was on my staff in Montreal for the Presidents Cup (win in 2024).
“Justin, dear friend forever. But I'll tell you what, he's the most organised, meticulous person I know and he was my right-hand man in Montreal.
“So when I got this job, the first guy thought it was Justin Leonard."
As Furyk was speaking, Cink remained on track to win his second Senior Major in a row at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Alabama.
Winner of the Senior PGA last month, he carded one-under 71 to take a three-shot lead into the final round over Colin Montgomerie on 15-under par.
Padraig Harrington was tied for 23rd on five under after a 70, with Darren Clarke 54th on two over after a 72.
Furyk will have been keeping an eye on the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, where Cameron Young — an impressive Ryder Cup rookie at Bethpage— shot a two-under 70 to take a six-shot lead into the final round,
He leads on 15-under par from Scottie Scheffler (69), Si Woo Kim (69) and Norway's Kristoffer Reitan (69) at the Blue Monster with Shane Lowry 52nd on one-over after a 70.
On the LPGA Tour, Nelly Korda has a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.
She shot 67 to lead on 14-under par from Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol with Kildare’s Lauren Walsh tied for 43rd on two over after a 74.
Article Link: Furyk’s first captain's pick pipped at post - News - Irish Golf Desk