Jim Furyk is quietly building a very strong resume and may be the next player that has to be considered in the top echelon of the best golfers in the world. Doubtless you know that he won the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa last week by chipping in for birdie on the second hole of a playoff with Darren Clarke, Adam Scott and Retief Goosen. Furyk showed a lot of the grit by overcoming a 72nd hole bogey that caused the playoff in the first place. Most golfers don't seem to be able to recover from the final hole gag like that. Even more impressive, he was carrying the emotional baggage of a final hole/playoff collapse in Las Vegas just 6 weeks ago. You can rest assured those unpleasant thoughts were lurking in the back of his mind.

In 2003, Furyk had a tremendous year, winning 2 times including the US Open and over $5 million. Then he suffered an injury which required surgery and took away his 2004 season away for all intents and purposes.

In this 2005 season he spent the first few months getting his game back in golf-shape. Finally, in mid April Furyk was able to put 4 good rounds together and he's been a threat ever since. A second place finish at Heritage was followed by a playoff loss to Vijay Singh 2 weeks later at Wachovia. The good news for Furyk was that he played very well while in the hunt in both tournaments on Sunday. After several weeks of solid play Furyk had the Westchester tournament ripped from his hands when Padraig Harrington sank a sea-going 70 footer for eagle on the final hole. Apparently unfazed, he then wins the Western Open on the following week by holding off a charging Tiger Woods. At the Presidents Cup in September all US golf fans were excited as Furyk partnered Tiger so well that most folks think Tiger has finally found the partner that can play with him. And of course, he has never lost a singles match in either the Presidents or Ryder Cup competitions.

All of this points to Jim Furyk being back at the top of his game heading into 2006. Only 35 years old, he is heading into his prime years right now. The future has got to be looking mighty sweet from where Furyk is standing.

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