5 Things: Furyk and the Ryder Cup captaincy, Bubba and his mayoral aspirations

1) Furyk the favourite to take over the Ryder reins

In two weeks outgoing captain Davis Love, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and three PGA of America officials will sit down to begin discussing the next Ryder Cup captain. The favourite for many is Jim Furyk, still the No 34 in the world, this year’s US Open runner-up and the owner of the first 58 on the PGA Tour, was one of Love’s vice-captains at Hazeltine.

The 46-year-old plans to cut back on his schedule to 18 events a year which would significantly limit his chances.

“I would accept the job,” Furyk said. “It’s all hypothetical. I haven’t had a conversation with Tiger, Phil, Davis. I haven’t had any conversation with the PGA of America, so I don’t want to put the cart before the horse.”

Furyk was part of the original task force that decided on a return of Love as captain so he knows not to sing his own praises, rather put his trust in the committee.

“Unless I’m wrong, I don’t think you publicly pine for the job or promote yourself or say, ‘I really want the job’.

“I think that’s the highest compliment you can be paid. He didn’t ask for the job. That committee went to him and said, ‘Hey, we want you to take the job. Would you like it?’… Those six folks will try to figure out who the next guy is. They’re going to try to figure out who the absolute best person is for the job.”

Mickelson himself will be 48 when Paris comes around but he is keen to make it as a player for a 12^th straight match.

2) Bubba Watson wants to be a mayor – yes, you read that right

Mayor Bubba, two words you probably never thought you would read. But the two-time champion of Augusta has revealed to the Associated Press that he would consider running for political office near his home town on Pensacola in Florida.

Watson, like every other golfer, has a house in Isleworth in Windermere as well as a place at The Greenbrier in West Virginia but he could see himself returning to where he grew up – he already partially owns the Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball team and a sweet shop, cleverly named ‘Bubba’s Sweet Spot’. He is also in line to invest in a car dealership and robotics company.

“I’ve had a dream,” Watson said. “I moved back in the city limits of Pensacola so one day I can run for mayor.

“The city of Pensacola realises that I love them. They brought me everything I have now. They took time to sponsor sporting events that I participated in. That’s the same thing I’m doing. I’m trying to help the community grow.”

Here’s Bubba after a recent check-up…

Thanks Dr. Amin & @SHHPENS for the check up & free shave!! #ChestHair pic.twitter.com/QD6cbBTF5t

— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) November 19, 2016

3) Golf likely to feature in 2024 Olympics

A report in The Guardian says that golf in the Olympics will run for at least another two more Games.

Despite all the withdrawals and negativity in the run up to Rio an announcement is expected in the new year that golf will be part of the 2024 Olympics – it had already been guaranteed Rio and Tokyo in four years. The venue for the Games in eight years is between Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest.

A source at the International Olympic Committee was quoted as saying it would be ‘very surprising’ if golf isn’t assured of a third straight Games.

Six different countries took the six medals in Brazil and, while the format produced plenty of drama, there are still regular calls for some sort of team event.

4) Strange couple of days for Horschel

The day after departing a play-off on the PGA Tour after doing this…

No matter how many times we've ALL been here, it still hurts to see it happen.https://t.co/nd6KsRrV6v

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 21, 2016

You make your appointment to have your wisdom teeth out..

Wisdom teeth gone and I look like a champ! ??…. everything went great and can't thank Dr Woods in PV enough for doing a helluva job. pic.twitter.com/wkqQiES8Gr

— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) November 21, 2016

5) Attaboy Rory

When Rory says or does something a bit silly just try and remind yourself that he’s one of the good guys and this is the sort of thing he does without shouting his mouth off about it..

A buddy's nephew received this letter from Rory McIlroy today and it's all kinds of awesome. pic.twitter.com/17xq6VKEIb

— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) November 22, 2016