2027 Ryder Cup: Furyk Sees the U.S. as the Underdog; Donald Remains Vigilant

With about a year to go before the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, Jim Furyk sees the U.S. as the underdog—and is calling for better preparation. European captain Luke Donald is focusing on continued improvement rather than complacency. At the joint press conference, it became clear where both teams still have work to do.

Jim Furyk doesn’t want to sugarcoat the situation. “We’re the underdogs. We’re aware of that. We still have a lot of work ahead of us,” said the U.S. captain on October 6 at the “Year to Go” press conference at Adare Manor. He announced changes for the 2027 Ryder Cup, ranging from team selection to preparation for the individual match formats. For his part, Luke Donald made it clear that Europe’s recent successes are no reason to underestimate the Americans.

The historical record favors Europe: The Europeans have won 11 of the past 15 Ryder Cups. The U.S. has not won on European soil since its victory in 1993 at The Belfry in England. When the teams face off in Ireland from September 17 to 19, 2027, that last away victory will have been 34 years ago. Europe will arrive as the defending champion following victories in Rome in 2023 and at Bethpage in 2025.

2027 Ryder Cup: Both Captains Emphasize the Underdog Mindset

Furyk links his assessment to the unique challenges of a Ryder Cup played on foreign soil. He expects a boisterous crowd, fueled by Irish fans and visitors from all over Europe. Added to this are the home team’s opportunities to tailor the course conditions to suit their own squad. Therefore, the search is not only for high-performing golfers, but for players who feel comfortable in this atmosphere.

Donald acknowledges the home-course advantage but doesn’t want to let it lead to a complacent favorite’s mindset. “For us, being the underdog is a mindset. We always want to prove something to ourselves and the rest of the world,” said the European captain. He noted that the U.S. is strong and, on paper—based on the world rankings—often even stronger than Europe.

Donald also responded without objection to the announcement by U.S. Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker that the Americans would pose a challenge in Ireland. He sees Furyk’s motivation and the changes happening behind the scenes. Complacency, therefore, must not play a role.

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Furyk Targets Weakness in Foursomes

The U.S.’s most pressing area for improvement lies in the foursomes. In this format, two partners play one ball and take turns hitting. Over the past two Ryder Cups and the two most recent Presidents Cups, the Americans earned only eight out of a possible 34 points. Against Europe in the 2023 and 2025 Ryder Cups, they earned just three out of 16 points—figures that Furyk explicitly confirmed at the press conference.

Learn about the rules and formats of the Ryder Cup here.

For him, this record is not a statistical outlier. Admittedly, there have been times when the U.S. was stronger in foursomes and tended to struggle more in four-ball. Nevertheless, in his view, the current weakness demands concrete solutions. Furyk also holds the captains accountable. They need to put together more suitable pairings and better prepare their players for the matches. His promise: “I will demand that this team do more than any previous U.S. team.”

A key component is a visit by potential team members to Adare Manor in the summer of 2027, during the Scottish Open and the Open Championship. The players are expected to familiarize themselves with the course and work on foursomes. Furyk expects everyone to make an effort to participate, but acknowledges that family and other commitments may get in the way. More preparation should not wait until the actual Ryder Cup week to begin.

Read here to find out how players can qualify for the U.S. team for the 2027 Ryder Cup.

2027 Ryder Cup: Course Requirements Shape Furyk’s Selection

Furyk has already initiated changes. At the press conference, he confirmed a new points system for qualification and a new analytics team. However, when it comes to pairing players, he doesn’t rely solely on the data. “Personally, I think you start with the golf course. What do you want to achieve? What does this course demand of the player?” he explained. Only on this basis will statistical strengths, experience, and personalities be weighed against one another. Statistical analyses are a valuable tool, he said, but they must be applied correctly.

This approach is also informed by his experience as a Ryder Cup captain for the first time in 2018 in France. Looking back, Furyk admitted that he may not have had the right players for Le Golf National. Some of the players he selected at the time were in good form, but their game wasn’t well-suited to the course’s demands.

For the 2027 Ryder Cup, Furyk also plans to look beyond the twelve selected players. Experienced pros will support younger players and help build a long-term Team USA program. For him, preparation is therefore not just a matter of additional practice rounds, but also of teamwork.

Donald Wants to Build on Europe’s Success Model

Donald faces a different starting point but also sees a need to adapt. After two victories as captain, he has the chance to become the first captain in Ryder Cup history to win three consecutive tournaments at Adare Manor. He does not want to rely solely on past success.

Every Ryder Cup requires different strategies and a fresh approach, Donald explained. For Bethpage, experience in a challenging away environment carried particular weight in his captain’s picks. In Ireland, other criteria may be decisive—especially the skills required by Adare Manor. For him, a successful track record does not automatically mean an unchanged roster.

On the sporting side, too, Donald has taken a clear lesson from Bethpage. Although Europe won 15–13 there, it had to weather a strong American comeback on Sunday. “I don’t want to feel the way I did on Sunday at Bethpage again,” he said.

That’s why his focus isn’t limited to the foursomes, which played a major role in Europe’s recent successes. Twelve points are up for grabs in the singles. The team must be prepared for every session. Conversely, Furyk wants to prevent his players from having to make up a large deficit again on Sunday. Fighting spirit alone should no longer have to compensate for weaknesses in team play.

Adare Manor: A Sporting Challenge and Fair Play at the 2027 Ryder Cup

The course itself offers both captains plenty to consider in their planning. Donald described elevated greens and closely mowed run-off areas where imprecise approach shots can roll far away from the hole. As of the press conference, no changes had yet been made. Narrower Fairways, taller Rough, and green speed are among the possible adjustments; no major structural changes are planned.

In addition to their athletic preparations, both captains are concerned with spectator behavior. Furyk acknowledged that boundaries had been crossed at Bethpage. At the same time, he is looking forward to the atmosphere in Europe. Donald emphasized his responsibility as the home captain to ensure the competition is conducted in the proper sporting spirit. Passionate support should define the Ryder Cup, not overshadow the action on the course.

In this regard, both captains are combining different tasks with a shared goal: their teams should be better prepared for Adare Manor. Furyk wants to address America’s weaknesses in team play. Donald wants to continue Europe’s success without taking it for granted. Whether their approaches will pay off remains to be seen at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.