With 21 caps between them, Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are being counted on to not only hit some great shots but also help calm the nerves of the four rookies on the US Ryder Cup team.
The 42-year-old Furyk has played 27 Ryder Cup matches dating back to 1997 and will be making his eighth consecutive appearance. With that kind of Ryder Cup resume it’s no wonder that teammate Bubba Watson likes to refer to him as the “quarterback” of the USA team.
“Bubba called me the quarterback last week which makes me a little nervous,” Furyk said. “I am not sure what the plays are and I am going to have to call them.”
Furyk is certainly enjoying being in a position where he can give advice to some of the younger players like Watson, who is competing in his second Ryder Cup.
But even with his limited experience, the 33-year-old Watson still has the upper hand on Brandt Snedeker, Webb Simpson, Jason Dufner and Keegan Bradley who are all in their first Ryder Cup.
“I think it is good to have our rookies,” Furyk said. “It is good to have some new energy.”
Dufner, 35, said the four rookies will probably handle the pressure of playing in their first Ryder Cup differently.
“It’s probably specific to the individual,” Dufner said. “Guys are going to be reacting to the situation a little bit differently. The only way to know how you are going to be is to be involved in it.”
Furyk said he’s looking forward to feeding off the raw energy that will come from the younger players, including Bradley who was the PGA Tour’s rookie of the year in 2011.
“We have got a good mix of guys,” Furyk said. “The young guys are starting to figure out what the team room is all about and enjoying themselves and having fun.
“That dynamic is going to grow and get stronger as the week goes on.”