Creating rivalry with Woods isn't on Furyk's mind
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When Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh swapped positions at the top of the World Golf Ranking in 2004 and early 2005, the next great rivalry in golf was proclaimed.
After Woods regained the No. 1 spot, Phil Mickelson moved to No. 2 by winning his second and third major, and another rivalry was born.
Since late last year, though, Jim Furyk has been the No. 2 player in the world, and no one in the media utters a peep about his challenge to Woods.
Guess who's in agreement: Furyk himself.
The 36-year-old, 12-time PGA Tour winner and 2003 U.S. Open champion said he doesn't mind that the media and fans don't view him as a possible usurper of Woods' domination of professional golf.
"As far as anyone (in the media) would pick to be the next guy to challenge Tiger, I would willingly beg you to pick someone else and please leave me alone; let me go do what I want to do," Furyk said this week at Augusta National Golf Club.
Furyk said that in a humorous tone, perhaps at his own expense, because he doesn't view himself as one of golf's glamour stars - merely a guy who works hard and wins tournaments.
He joined the major championship club with his victory nearly four years ago at Olympia Fields near Chicago.
Furyk said he gets enough validation because he knows what he's put into his game and what he's reaped. In other words, no one needs to throw him a ticker-tape parade.
"I don't mind the attention," he said. "I'm also just fine and dandy going to a restaurant with my family and sitting down to a nice, quiet dinner. I think I get plenty of credit.
"I think I'm not jealous of any of the due that anyone else in the golf world gets."
Furyk pointed out one reason that he might be the most under-the-radar No. 2-ranked player in the world in recent years: The gap between his ranking points and Woods' (Woods is at 20.16 this week, while Furyk is 8.31) is wider than the gap between Woods and other players who have been at No. 2.
In fact, Woods has more of a lead over Furyk than Furyk does over two players tied for 997th in the world ranking.
The points were a lot closer between Woods, Singh and Mickelson, he said, but the gap between Woods and him is "giant."
If Furyk is indifferent about world ranking points, he's not about winning at Augusta.
He has had moderate success at the Masters, missing only one cut in 10 career starts, with three top 10 finishes.
Furyk also has gotten off to a fair start in 2007, making the cut in all seven of his starts, with three top 10 finishes.
His best chances in the Masters were in 1998 and 2003, when he finished fourth. Last year, he began the final round four shots behind Phil Mickelson but stumbled to 75 and tied for 22nd.
Furyk's overall performance at Augusta National is a good indication that the course - although favorable for the long bombers off the tee - still offers a fighting chance to those who putt, chip and manage their games well.
He pointed out the Mike Weir-Len Mattiace playoff in 2003 and Chris DiMarco's contention in 2004 and 2005 as proof that players with moderate length can win at a course made longer in recent years.
"This golf course has always been one that probably favored power hitters," the golfer said.
"There's always a chance for a good player who's not long to win a golf tournament. I don't think it's impossible (at Augusta).
"The odds favored the power hitters, but other guys have figured out ways to win here, and I think it can be done."
David Toms said Furyk has something else besides good iron play and a short game.
"He's tough ... he's a competitor," Toms said. "He never gives up at any point in a round or a tournament. He hits the fairways. He has adequate length. He has a great short game. I think he's always solid."
Should Furyk win the Masters, it might spark the rivalry with Woods. Furyk doubts it, however, and said he wouldn't mind if it didn't cause a rivalry.
"I'm comfortable with who I am and where I stand and what I'm trying to accomplish," Furyk said. "I don't really worry about the rest of it. It just doesn't matter."
