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Jim Furyk named a 2023 Ryder Cup vice captain for U.S. squad

todd kelly
·3 min read

Six days after being tabbed as captain for the U.S. team at the 2024 Presidents Cup, Jim Furyk was named a vice captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

The former University of Arizona standout joins Steve Stricker and Davis Love III as vice captains on Zach Johnson’s squad headed to Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy. The PGA of America stated there will be more vice captains for 2023 named at a later date.

The biennial competition between the U.S. and Europe is set for Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.

“Jim and I have been friends for more than 20 years,” Johnson said in a state released Monday.  “He’s an amazing leader, mentor and someone I trust. He understands what it takes to compete at the highest level, and how to be a team player. I will be leaning on his experience a ton in the lead up to Marco Simone in September.”

Furyk was the U.S. team’s Ryder Cup captain in 2018 in France and a vice captain in 2016 at Hazeltine National Golf Club as well as in 2020 at Whistling Straits.

Jim Furyk reacts after hitting his tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship golf tournament at Phoenix Country Club.
Jim Furyk reacts after hitting his tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship golf tournament at Phoenix Country Club.

Prior to sliding into leadership roles, Furyk competed in nine straight Ryder Cups: 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014.

“I’ve been involved in the Ryder Cup since 1997, and my passion for this event is unmatched,” Furyk said in the same statement. “Captain Zach Johnson shares that passion, and I can’t wait to get to Italy to help our U.S. Team work toward retaining the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone.”

Annika Sorenstam, of Sweden, acknowledges the crowd after putting on the 18th green during the final round of the Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Annika Sorenstam, of Sweden, acknowledges the crowd after putting on the 18th green during the final round of the Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Sorenstam to play U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach

Annika Sorenstam isn't done with major championship golf just yet. The 10-time major winner and former Arizona Wildcat accepted a special exemption into the 2023 U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach, July 6-9.

Sorenstam, 52, played her way into last year's Women's Open by crushing the field by eight strokes at the 2021 U.S. Senior Women's Open.

This marks the first time Sorenstam, who is one of four players to win the U.S. Women's Open three times (1995, 1996, 2006), has accepted an exemption into the championship. She has made 16 previous appearances.

Professional golfer Jon Rahm is presented a Phoenix Suns jersey by "The Gorilla" during the first half of Friday's Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at Footprint Center.
Professional golfer Jon Rahm is presented a Phoenix Suns jersey by "The Gorilla" during the first half of Friday's Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals at Footprint Center.

Jon Rahm honored at Suns-Nuggets game

Maybe he was the good luck charm they needed. The Phoenix Suns hosted 2023 Masters champ and former Arizona State standout Jon Rahm for Game 3 of their NBA playoff series against the Denver Nuggets last Saturday.

The Suns Gorilla wore a white Masters caddie suit with "Rahm" on the nameplate across his back. The Gorilla also presented Rahm with set of plastic kids golf clubs. The Suns went on to win Game 3 with Rahm sitting courtside.

GCU women make 'NIT of college golf'

The Grand Canyon women's golf team won the WAC title for the first time in school history this season. Next up, an appearance in the inaugural National Golf Invitational, a new postseason collegiate event scheduled May 11-14 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa.

Dubbed the NIT of college golf and presented in partnership with Golfweek, the 2023 Women's NGI will feature 10 college teams competing in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament. Joining GCU are Penn State, Mercer, Western Carolina, Iowa, Texas State, Santa Clara, UC Riverside, Middle Tennessee and fellow WAC member Seattle.

The field for the men's NGI (May 18-21) will be: Arkansas State, Ball State, George Washington, Oral Roberts, Penn State, Santa Clara, Stetson, Texas State, Troy, Utah Valley, Valparaiso, Washington State and Wyoming.

Junior event accepting entries

The 2023 Golfweek Southwest Junior Open is accepting entries for the tournament later this month. The event is for boys and girls junior golfers ages 13 to 19 who are not yet attending college. The tournament will be held May 27-28 at Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa. The top finishers in each division will be exempt into the USA Today Sports/Golfweek International Junior Invitational to be held in November in Florida. Information: rgaines@golfweek.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jim Furyk named a 2023 Ryder Cup vice captain for U.S. squad