Jim Furyk Needs to Take Lead of US Ryder Cup Team

Though the U.S. Ryder Cup team is viewed as the underdog, the team will have to look toward someone who is used to a dogfight. That man is Jim Furyk.

With a team comprised of veterans and young guns, Furyk is the only one who seems up to the task to lead the team in the constant fight. 

Sure, Keegan Bradley will be fired up, and he'll inevitably inspire Phil Mickelson again, but neither of them has performed at a consistent level this year like Furyk.

Furyk may not have won a tournament this year, but he has come as close as you can to taking home a trophy after a final round on Sunday. 

Furyk has placed second in four tournaments this year and ended his FedEx Cup race in fourth place. He has played in 21 PGA Tour events and never missed a cut in 2014. Want consistency? He has been in the top 10 for over 360 weeks. 

Furyk has the game, stamina, work ethic and mental strength to take the leadership role and lead the U.S. Ryder Cup team through a long, tough weekend. He doesn't have to give an inspirational speech in the locker room, but he can inspire his team through his actions.

Disappointment may breed discouragement among some players, but Furyk has the ability to put each disappointment behind him and move forward. 

That's not to say Furyk doesn't feel the sting of a loss. In fact, one of the most difficult losses came at the Canadian Open this year. 

Furyk talked about the loss in a press conference after the Tour Championship: "I think Canada probably was the worst because I was in control of the tournament. Starting Sunday I was in control of the tournament all day and got chased down at the end."

It is no surprise that Tom Watson selected Furyk to be on the Ryder Cup team. He may not be a youngster with a crushing drive, but he does possess nerves of steel, Ryder Cup experience and consistent, impressive results.