U.S. Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk is already building his dream team for 2027—and it starts with two familiar faces in the captain's room. On Saturday, Furyk announced that Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink will serve as assistant captains for the next Ryder Cup, set to take place at Adare Manor in Ireland.
Furyk made the selections during the Kentucky Derby, adding a touch of tradition to the exciting news. Both Leonard and Cink were in the running for the captaincy themselves, and many see their appointments as a strong hint at future leadership roles.
Justin Leonard is a name that echoes through Ryder Cup history. He played in three editions—including two U.S. victories—and is forever remembered for that dramatic 45-foot birdie putt at The Country Club in 1999, which sealed the Americans' incredible comeback against Europe. This will be Leonard's first time as a Ryder Cup assistant, but he's no stranger to supporting Furyk. The two worked together at the 2024 Presidents Cup, where Furyk called him "my right-hand man."
"The most organized, meticulous person I know," Furyk said. "So when I got this job, the first guy I called was Justin Leonard."
Stewart Cink brings a wealth of experience to the team. He played on five consecutive U.S. Ryder Cup squads, including the victorious 2008 team at Valhalla. Cink also served as an assistant captain to Zach Johnson in Italy in 2023—a tough loss that saw Europe dominate on home soil.
Speaking of Europe, the pressure is on. The European team has won the last two Ryder Cups, and Luke Donald is returning as captain, aiming to become the first to win three straight in the event's history.
For Furyk, this is a full-circle moment. He first played in the Ryder Cup in 1997 and has been involved in every edition since—as a player, assistant, or captain. This will be his second time leading the U.S. team, following a loss in Paris in 2018. The Americans haven't won the Ryder Cup on foreign soil since 1993, making the 2027 challenge at Adare Manor all the more significant.
With Leonard and Cink by his side, Furyk is laying the groundwork for what promises to be a thrilling campaign. Golf fans, get ready—the road to Ireland starts now.