Furyk appears back in form after long layoff for surgery

By Jason Scott Deegan, Senior Staff Writer

GRAND BLANC, Mich. - Fresh off the best season of his career, Jim Furyk sat at home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., earlier this year, watching golf on TV and wondering.

What was wrong with his left wrist? When would the pain go away? When would he be able to hit the ball again like he had in 2003?

He had big dreams in 2004 after a season where he landed his first major championship, the U.S. Open, and a victory in the Buick Open to finish in fourth on the PGA Tour's money list. It all frustrated him.

"It was really difficult in January and February to watch my favorite events go by," Furyk said during a teleconference with the media in late June. "I didn't know how severe it was. I didn't know how long I would be out. Sitting back and not knowing if I would have surgery was difficult. But once I had the surgery I had a positive outlook."

That, more than anything, has brought Furyk back to his old crooked-swinging, straight-hitting self. In his first appearance back after the surgery to repair torn cartilage in March, Furyk produced a valiant effort at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, making the cut and finishing in a tie for 48th on a diabolical layout that only allowed two players under par, Phil Mickelson and champion Retief Goosen.

Two weeks later at the Cialis Western Open, just his fourth event of the year, Furyk tied for seventh, finishing at five-under for $144,600. That Furyk looked less like a rehab patient and more like the professional who has won $19 million in his career.

"I was really surprised I held up physically (at the Open)," Furyk said. "I didn't really even expect to be there. I played reasonably well. The wrist felt better as the week went on. I was nervous during the practice rounds it would get sore."

Furyk said he first noticed pain in the wrist during last year's British Open. The injury gradually got worse. He tried to play through it during the first two events of 2004 in Hawaii before taking time off, a break from competitive golf that Furyk learned to enjoy.

He played Mr. Mom with his newborn son, Tanner, and 2-year-old daughter, Caleigh.

"My family got into a real routine," he said. "My daughter got used to being at home with the same toys, same bed. It was almost normal. It was very rewarding for me as a dad. It's an opportunity I don't get very much."

Furyk, the man with the awkward swing built by his father, said he didn't push himself in rehab, taking a cautious approach that he plans to keep with his new practice routine.

"I try to be smart and not hit four or five buckets (on the range)," he said. "I tore cartilage in my right wrist several years ago. My concentration is to learn to become much better with my practice."

He has chosen a week-on, week-off approach to the rest of his season to avoid overplaying. He will play the British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland July 12-18 and then the Buick Open at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club on July 26-Aug. 1.

That's good news to golf fans in Michigan. The flat, traditional tree-lined course has been good to Furyk over the years. He's the tournament's all-time money winner with more than $1.2 million.

"I've always really enjoyed Warwick Hills, and the Flint area," Furyk said. "It's been one of my favorite events. I'm looking forward to coming back and defending this year."

In all likelihood, Michigan golf fans will get to see Furyk again. One of the driving forces being his early return was to ensure his game would be ready for the Ryder Cup.

Furyk is currently a solid fourth on the Ryder Cup points list (the top 10 automatically make Hal Sutton's U.S. team). The 35th Ryder Cup Matches will be Sept. 17-19 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township.

"As far as the Ryder Cup, I make no bones about it, it is my favorite event," Furyk said. "It an honor to represent your country. When I got injured, I was afraid I would fall out of the top 10 points list. But it looks like I have a good chance to stay in. Hopefully, I'll get some more points.

"I want to be 100 percent for the Ryder Cup and have my game ready to win points for my team."

What's in the bag?

Driver: Titleist 975 D 8.5 degree loft
Woods: Orlimar 3-W (13-degree) and 4-W (15-degree)
Irons: Hogan Apex 3-SW
Wedges: Hogan & Cleveland
Putter: "Switches Frequently"
Ball: Strata Tour Ultimate

James Michael Furyk

Birthdate: May 12, 1970
Home: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Family: Wife, Tabitha, two children
College: University of Arizona
Year turned pro: 1992
PGA TOUR Victories: (9) 1995 Las Vegas Invitational. 1996 United Airlines Hawaiian Open. 1998 Las Vegas Invitational. 1999 Las Vegas Invitational. 2000 Doral-Ryder Open. 2001 Mercedes Championships. 2002 Memorial Tournament. 2003 U.S. Open Championship, Buick Open.

July 8, 2004