Player Profile - Jim Furyk

This week’s profile highlights the career of 2010 Tour Champion Jim Furyk. Born James Michael Furyk in West Chester Pennsylvania, Furyk showed a talent for golf that was fostered by his father Mike, himself a pro at the Edgmont Country Club. The talented young golfer learned the ropes from his father, who has since become head pro at the Uniontown Country Club. Known for his easy manner and for never making heavy weather of life’s challenges, his game improved throughout his high school years. In his final year at school Furyk was both a state golf champion and an excellent basketball player.

Following his graduation from the University of Arizona Furyk went pro in 1992. His consistent performance on the golf course has kept him high in international golf rankings since 1998. His first major victory came in 2003 when he won the US Open in a record-breaking final round. He is a three-time winner of the Las Vegas Invitational and two-time winner of the Canadian Open. Jim Furyk is well-known in golfing circles for his extremely unique golf swing, which is languid and looping in stark contrast to the power swing typical of top golfers including Tiger Woods. Furyk’s swing is said to be a result of his taller than average height, and despite its unusual appearance it has served him extremely well over the course of his career. His ability to win championships despite having such an unconventional swing has earned him the nickname “the grinder” among US golf fans, who are quick to assign nicknames to favourite players.

On Sunday, Furyk added The Tour Championship to his ever-increasing list of wins, having won the Transitions Championship and Verizon Championship earlier this year. These wins bring the American’s lifetime prize money total close to the fifty million dollar mark. Jim Furyk and his wife Tabitha live with their children Caleigh Lynn and Tanner James in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Jim Furyk is a favourite on the PGA Tour, and will continue to excite crowds and win supporters as his career proceeds at its usual calm but certain pace.