Extremely harsh word…’ Jim Furyk hits back at reporter for criticising him over Max Homa

Jim Furyk Responds to Criticism Over Max Homa’s Absence in Opening Fourballs at Presidents Cup

Jim Furyk, captain of the United States team, addressed concerns and criticisms over the decision to leave Max Homa out of the opening fourballs session at the Presidents Cup. Furyk announced his first-day pairings during a press conference at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada, where several surprising combinations were revealed.

Among the notable decisions was the separation of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, who are close friends and a traditionally successful pair. Schauffele was paired with Tony Finau in the first match, while Cantlay teamed up with Sam Burns in the final match of the day.

With only ten players available to compete in Thursday’s five fourballs matches, two players from each team had to sit out the session. For Team USA, Homa, 33, and Brian Harman were the two players left out. Many speculate that Homa and Harman could form a strong partnership for Friday’s foursomes, as they previously earned two points from three matches at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

On the International side, team captain Mike Weir chose to leave Mackenzie Hughes and Si Woo Kim on the sidelines for the opening session.

The decision to bench Homa raised eyebrows among fans and commentators. Despite being one of Furyk’s six captain’s picks, Homa has struggled with his form in recent months. After an impressive run at the 2022 Presidents Cup and the 2023 Ryder Cup, where he amassed seven and a half points from a possible nine, Homa has been unable to secure a top-20 finish in his last 10 competitive starts. His slump in performance has led to a drop in the world rankings, from seventh to 25th.

Acknowledging his recent struggles, Homa admitted on the eve of the Presidents Cup that he had parted ways with his swing coach. Even Homa himself seems aware that his game has not been up to par this season.

During the press conference, a reporter questioned Furyk about his decision to “bench” Homa. Furyk, however, took issue with the term. “Putting him on the bench is an extremely harsh word,” Furyk responded sternly. “You have to have two players who don’t play tomorrow. I have a lot of confidence in Max’s game and what he brings to our team, not just in terms of his play, but also his presence in the team room.”

Furyk emphasized that Homa would still play an integral role throughout the competition. “You’re going to see him play a lot of golf this week,” he reassured.

The decision to leave Homa and Harman out of the initial matches, while surprising to some, highlights the strategic choices captains must make in such a competitive environment. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how Furyk will utilize his lineup, but he appears confident in the overall strength and cohesion of his team.