The USA remain favourites to prevail at the 2018 Ryder Cup after confirmation that Jim Furyk will serve as their captain for the defence of the trophy in France. Furyk, whose team are odds-on to win back-to-back Ryder Cups, will find himself in opposition to Thomas Bjorn.

Furyk’s elevation is no surprise after he served as a vice-captain to Davis Love III during the USA’s recent victory at Hazeltine. With the policy of the USA now to promote captains from within, the prospect of Fred Couples upstaging Furyk to the post – as was suggested – never appeared likely. Furyk cited valuable experience under Love, whom he has instantly named as a vice-captain for 2018.

“Going forward, our future captains will have served as a vice-captain,” Furyk said. “You are going to see our captains even more prepared. It’s no secret; this has been my favourite event throughout my entire career. I am really excited about rolling my sleeves up and getting started. I can’t wait to start this process.”

Furyk, 46, who won the US Open in 2003, has endured mixed Ryder Cup fortunes. In nine playing appearances, he tasted victory only twice.

Together with Phil Mickelson, he holds the American record for the most number of matches lost in the biennial event, at 20. In majors, too, Furyk is regarded as something of a nearly man having returned 14 finishes of fifth or better alongside that success of 14 years ago.

Nonetheless, Furyk has always been regarded a highly popular character on the PGA Tour and one who spans generations. Only last August he had a single round of 58 at the Travelers Championship.

“This is such an honour,” Furyk added. “I’m actually a little overwhelmed, I didn’t think it would be that way. In my opinion, the Ryder Cup embodies everything that is special about golf. Davis is going to be a tough act to follow. He put a system in place, got the players behind it. His experience, two captaincies and a vice- captaincy, will be priceless for me so I’m happy to have him by my side.”

Furyk refused to rule out completely a playing appearance at Le Golf National on the outskirts of Paris. “I don’t want to say no,” he said. “But all my focus is on being the best captain I can be. I want to get the 12 best players on this team.”

At Hazeltine the USA ended a miserable run of six defeats to Europe in seven attempts. After the heavy loss at Gleneagles in 2014, Furyk formed part of a task force established to reverse American fortunes.

“We have to look to the future, how can we improve, how can we get better,” Furyk said. “I have had a lot of support and a lot of resources behind me, I plan on using them to the full. Thomas Bjorn is a good friend of mine. We had a match as vice-captains at Hazeltine where we walked and chatted for seven holes about the future. He asked if I would be the next captain, he was hoping to get the nod on his side, so we were both hoping for this.”

When introducing Furyk at a media conference in Florida on Wednesday, the PGA of America’s president, Paul Levy, insisted that there had only been one man for the job. “For more than two decades, Jim Furyk has stood proud and tall on the American golf stage and we are thrilled to have him as our Ryder Cup Captain,” said Levy.

“His accomplishments as a player are well known but his inherent competitive spirit and leadership traits are what made his candidacy so attractive. Jim offers the total package and is well suited for the task at hand.”

Bjorn immediately and publicly sent congratulations to Furyk. “I’m looking forward to our shared times ahead,” said the Dane, who was named as Europe’s captain last month.