Furyk makes unique swing a model of success

Jim Furyk has taken an unorthodox swing and a gritty, resilient demeanor and parlayed them into phenomenal success on the PGA Tour. The number two ranked player in the world is making his second appearance in the Grand Slam.

By Bob Denney, PGA of America

A one-time club professional and his son's only golf instructor, Mike Furyk realized from the start that his son, Jim, was not going to be a mechanical player.

What Mike did see was a young man who understood the value of repeating a golf swing and achieving a steady level of excellence in competition.

The truth is that the loop in Jim Furyk's swing, which was there from the start, is a dependable motion to success.

Having achieved the No. 2 world ranking this year with some of the finest golf by any tour professional, Furyk steadily follows in the footsteps of premier players who also did the "loop."

Remember Lee Trevino, a winner of six major Championships? How about Miller Barber, the "Mr. X" of the Tour who pocketed 35 victories? Or, what about two-time major Champion Hubert Green? Those swings stood the test of time, just as Furyk's swing has over the past several years.

Furyk took up golf because he enjoyed the individuality of the game. He was a good football, baseball and basketball player and a competitive swimmer. He grew up in Western Pennsylvania and played midget football until age 13, and has remained a devout Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Like the Steelers' persona, Furyk has become the epitome of grit and resilience. He overcame surgery to repair cartilage in his left wrist in 2004, sitting out two months and bouncing back to win a berth on that year's Ryder Cup Team and winning the 2005 Cialis Western Open.

This year, having risen to the No. 2 world ranking, Furyk has elevated his game once again, earning victories in the Wachovia Championship and the Canadian Open.

The steady, grinding nature of his game since turning professional in 1992 has enabled Furyk to withstand major Championship pressure. His triumph in the 2003 U.S. Open, matching the 72-hole scoring record of 272, was as impressive as it was a vindication.

Did someone mention there's a loop in someone's swing? We should all be so lucky.

Furyk makes his second appearance in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, returning to Poipu Bay where he dominated the competition in 2003.

It's only natural that he finds trade winds and shotmaking mix well. The guy keeps a second home in Kapalua, Maui.