Jim Furyk is set to be announced as the US Ryder Cup captain in the next week, as the Stars and Stripes stick to the system which brought their second victory this century at Hazeltine last year.

It is understood that the choice of the selection committee – which included Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and last year’s winning captain, Davis Love – had come down to either Furyk or Fred Couples for next year’s renewal at Le Golf National, just outside Paris.

It was Furyk’s involvement both as an assistant to Love and as a member of the famous “Task Force” set up after the 2014 defeat, America’s third in a row, that swayed the decision. The 46-year-old’s enthusiasm for the role is also likely to have been a factor.

Despite still being in the world’s top 50, at 37th in the rankings, and despite having finished second in last year’s US Open and having shot a 58, the lowest round ever on the PGA Tour, as recently as August, Furyk let it be known he would be willing to put his ambitions to play in a 10th match on hold if they wanted him to succeed Love.