Jim Furyk, preparing to captain the United States Ryder Cup team for a second time at Adare Manor in Ireland next September, has indicated a willingness to reconcile with former team member Patrick Reed despite past tensions between them. The announcement comes nearly a decade after Furyk’s first tenure as U.S. captain and follows Reed’s public criticism of Furyk’s decisions during the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Furyk, 56, who won the 2003 U.S. Open, emphasized his commitment to assembling the most thoroughly prepared American team in Ryder Cup history. He stated that he expects more from this team than any previous U.S. squad, promising rigorous preparation aimed at showcasing American talent on the international stage.

The 2018 Ryder Cup was marked by significant internal discord, largely stemming from Furyk’s decision to alter successful pairings. Reed, then a key player known as “Captain America” for his passionate leadership and Ryder Cup exploits, openly questioned Furyk’s strategy of splitting his partnership with Jordan Spieth—a duo that had lost only one of seven matches together—and pairing Reed instead with Tiger Woods, who was struggling at the time. The new pairing was unable to secure a victory, and Reed was subsequently sidelined during the foursomes portion of the competition. Reed publicly called Furyk’s choices “not smart,” particularly criticizing the benching of Spieth, whose performance had been strong in previous Ryder Cups.

Reed’s absence from U.S. team events since his appearance at the 2019 Presidents Cup in Melbourne has been notable. However, following his departure from the LIV Golf Series earlier this year, he has returned to form, currently leading the Race to Dubai standings and outpacing many of Europe’s top players.

Speaking at a recent captains’ press conference at Adare Manor, Furyk was asked whether there is a path for Reed to rejoin the U.S. Ryder Cup squad. Furyk responded that the door remains open, indicating that selection will ultimately be based on merit and performance. The focus remains on fielding the strongest possible team to contend with Europe in next year’s competition.

The evolving dynamic between Furyk and Reed highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. team leadership to move past past controversies and build cohesion ahead of the highly anticipated Ryder Cup event in 2027.