The United States made some staffing changes to prepare for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
Golfweek's Adam Schupak reported that U.S. coach Jim Furyk revamped the team's analytics department ahead of next year's event. Furyk hired Justin Ray and Hunter Stewart to spearhead a new data team.
Ray and Stewart headline a group that will replace Scouts Consulting Group. Furyk appointed Scouts, led by Jason Aquino, in 2024 after using the firm to help win the 2016 Ryder Cup and 2022 Presidents Cup.
"I really want to make it clear that I’m a big fan of Jason Aquino. He's very talented, and I learned a lot from Jason and consider us friends even now," Furyk said. "That conversation was difficult in some respects but ultimately I felt like we had an opportunity and I had to make the best decision for the United States team."
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Many golf fans may be familiar with Ray's work. The Athletic writer has previously worked for ESPN, Golf Channel, and Golfweek. Ray also contributed to Twenty First Group, a data analytics company that Team Europe used when winning the 2018 Ryder Cup.
U.S. vice captain Justin Leonard reportedly recommended Ray to Furyk, who called the stat guru "our big picture guy." Ray responded to the news on social media.
"Honored. Thankful. Already hard at work," Ray wrote on Tuesday morning.
Stewart competed in 11 PGA Tour events, tying for 10th at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in 2015. The former Vanderbilt standout feeds several pros advanced stats to help give them an edge, and he'll work with U.S. Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker later this year.
Schupak noted that Furyk hopes Stewart's hire can give the U.S. the same spark that Team Europe has received from Edoardo Molinari. The three-time DP World Tour champion crafted data strategies for Europe in their 2023 and 2025 Ryder Cup victories.
The U.S. will seek its first Ryder Cup win on foreign soil since 1993 when Ireland hosts the competition in September 2027.
