'I'm invited to a hurling match' - Jim Furyk to attend Limerick's Munster clash with Tipperary

Speaking on the eve of the PGA Championship in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, the USA Ryder Cup captain was asked for his impressions of Ireland.

SPECIAL INVITE: Jim Furyk is coming to Ireland to watch Limerick vs Tipperary. Pic: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

Mere weeks ago Jim Furyk was probably not imagining ever being a Ryder Cup captain again. Suddenly he has an imminent Munster Hurling Championship date in his diary.

Furyk answered the call from the PGA of America for next September’s rematch at Adare Manor after Tiger Woods, who had long been expected to take command of the American team for the visit to the venue owned by close friend JP McManus, was charged with DUI after crashing his car in March.

Now Furyk, who skippered the USA team in defeat in 2018 in Paris, is picking up the reins again and one of the early items on his to-do list is to get a feel for the host country and county of next year’s showdown.

Typically, given the figurehead behind much of Ireland's second hosting of the storied matchplay event, he will have a Limerick hurling match to attend too.

Speaking on the eve of the PGA Championship in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, the 56-year-old was asked for his impressions of Ireland.

“You walk into a pub, and they hear an American accent, and you've got 20 friends immediately," Furyk said.

"Sometimes 20 pints, but 20 friends immediately. I think the world of JP McManus, the gentleman that owns Adare Manor. He knows I'm going to be there shortly. I'm headed over there in about ten days.

“I've already been invited to see Limerick. I'm imagining it's a hurling match or a hurling game, someone's got to help me out? Hurling match! So I'm invited to a hurling match. JP is a wonderful man and has hosted my family before. I realize he probably won't be rooting for us, but I know he's a gentleman and welcoming.”

Both McManus and Treaty hurling boss John Kiely were on hand and inside the ropes at Bethpage Black last September as the Europeans triumphed.

A quick glance at the upcoming fixture list would suggest Furyk is likely to be in the stands at the Gaelic Grounds for Limerick’s Munster Championship clash with Tipperary on Sunday week, May 24th.

“I think it's a wonderful country," he added. "I think anyone around the world would say that, and a very proud group of folks. I'm actually really interested in learning a bit more about the Celtic sports.

"I've talked to Paddy [Harrington] about it little bit, and kind of a country that has their own identity and their own sporting world, it's pretty cool.”

Furyk has a tall task on his hand to turn around American fortunes after back to back defeats in Rome and New York.

Despite Woods facing a latest round of ignominy over the March car accident, Furyk said he would like the American icon to be part of his Ryder Cup set-up for next year’s contest at Adare Manor.

Woods is reported to be receiving treatment in Switzerland after being charged with driving under the influence following a car crash near his Florida home.

Police found two prescription opioid hydrocodone pills in his pockets when he was arrested, which Woods has been using to manage pain after a number of significant operations.

Since being announced as captain for the 2027 contest, Furyk said he had not wanted to bother Woods but would very much like him to be involved.

“We haven’t spoken yet. I think, out of kind of courtesy for him and his family and I know maybe a road to health, I haven’t reached out but I will,” Furyk said.

“Definitely. We’ll see where that role may fall. In the past, I think he’s kind of taken a back seat and kind of maybe served as an advice for Keegan (Bradley) and such.

“I will say I enjoyed serving – I use that word serving – as a vice-captain with him a number of times. I think he brought a lot to the team room and a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience.”