Jim Furyk takes out his frustration on hole No. 12 during the final round of the 2012 U.S. Open. Ron Chenoy – US PRESSWIRE

For the eighth time in as many years, Jim Furyk is a member of the United State’s Ryder Cup team. The University of Arizona alum (1988-92) was among those selected Tuesday by team captain Davis Love III. The “Captain’s Pick” selection means Furyk has been a member of every Ryder and President’s cup teams since turning pro.

Furyk is 8-15-4 in Ryder Cup matches, but is 4-2-1 in singles play.

The United States leads the all-time series — which biennially pits the U.S. versus Europe — by a 25-11-2 count. Furyk helped pace USA to wins as a member of the 1999 and 2008 teams.

The Medinah (Ill.) Country Club will play host to this year’s Ryder Cup from Sept. 25-30.

The Arizona Sports Hall of Famer closed out the PGA season with $2.8 million in earnings ($51.9 million for his career), while finishing fifth in driving accuracy and scoring average. He hasn’t won a tournament since being named the 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year. Furyk held a late lead at this year’s U.S. Open, but squandered a chance for his second career (2003) open title in the closing holes. He also blew a lead on No. 18 on the final day of the Firestone. He finished 21st overall in FedEx Cup points on the season.

2012 UNITED STATE RYDER CUP TEAM

Davis Love III – C

Keegan Bradley

Jason Dufner

Jim Furyk*

Dustin Johnson*

Zach Johnson

Matt Kuchar

Phil Mickelson

Brandt Snedeker*

Webb Simpson

Steve Stricker*

Bubba Watson

*Captain’s picks

Former Wildcat Jim Furyk has made the Ryder Cup team with a swing as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) September 4, 2012

ARIZONA WILDCAT SPORTS SHORTS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

Jim Furyk’s wallet didn’t literally split its stitches in late September, when the 40-year-old golfer snatched the PGA Tour Championships’ $10 million (presumably ruby-encrusted) purse.

But it’s fun to imagine a Costanza-sized wallet bursting with large bills, instead of Irish money or coupons for an Orlando-area Exxon station — even though it would be plausible in Furyk’s case.

Former Wildcat Jim Furyk donated $25,000 to his alma mater. Allan Henry-US PRESSWIRE

The Ponte Vedra, Fla., resident recently earned some major euros, pounds and/or dollars playing for Team USA in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales.

But, where George was famously frugal, Furyk alliterates nicely with philanthropy.

The former University of Arizona Wildcat opened his wallet recently and out fell a generous donation of $25,000 to his alma mater.

His generosity is part of a PGA Tour charity program that’s fueled by $200,000 donations from each Ryder Cup player and coach. This year they’ll donate close to $2.6 million to various organizations of the team’s choosing.

Furyk has earmarked funds for Arizona after all seven of his Ryder Cup and after both his President’s Cup appearances.

Despite their generosity, Team USA fell just short of beating Team Europe in the Ryder Cup.

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People often ask Lorena Ochoa when is the next golf tournament she’s playing?

The Arizona Wildcat alum and former No. 1-ranked woman in the world always answers the same:

“I play every day. Golf will always be a part of my life”

The difference these days is, instead of fending off all-comers in the LPGA, Ochoa is playing for her own philanthropic causes.

The United States Golf Association took notice and awarded the 28 year old with its highest honor, the 2011 Bob Jones Award.

Ochoa is the 56^th recipient of the annual award given to those the USGA feels demonstrates a distinguished level of sportsmanship.

Though retired as of this summer, Ochoa certainly isn’t sitting at home on the couch.

“Every time I travel and do a tournament, the funds go into my foundation,” Ochoa said via the USGA official press release. “And I’m writing a book. It’s an exciting time and I’m very happy.”

Ochoa’s foundation has helped hundreds of underprivileged Mexican school children throughout her home country.

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