The drumbeat is getting louder, and Jim Furyk's form, if not quite measuring up to the lofty heights of Tiger Woods, is, nevertheless, sending out an intimidating message to Europe. Unquestionably, the United States currently possess the two most in-form players on the planet!

In securing his second win of the season in the Canadian Open on Sunday, Furyk - who claimed his seventh top-three finish of the year - climbed to a career-high position of number two in the official world rankings and will seek to maintain his impressive pre-Ryder Cup form by playing in the HSBC World Matchplay at Wentworth this week.

The prospect of a potentially long week in Wentworth, where players are required to play 36 holes a day, doesn't deter Furyk, one of only two Americans, along with Woods, playing in the event.

"I thought long and hard about committing (to Wentworth). I told Tom (Lehman) I was playing and he said he loved the idea of me being over there, the positive being playing match play. If you happen to get four matches in and play well, you're playing really good golf and getting a lot of match play experience."

Was there a concern about possibly playing so much golf ahead of the Ryder Cup? "I don't think that's an issue considering the Ryder Cup, where you're starting on Friday. You've got four days to recover."

Furyk, who claimed his 12th PGA Tour career win in Canada, bringing his season's winnings to over $6 million and his career winnings to over $30 million, has finished no worse than fourth in six of his last seven starts.

Playing in Canada was part of a strategic plan for Furyk to be in prime shape for the match at The K Club. "One of the reasons I wanted to load up (by adding the Canadian Open to his schedule) was I didn't want two weeks off, go to Wentworth, maybe play pretty good and lose and have just 36 holes of golf in three weeks in preparation for the Ryder Cup. I was looking ahead at the schedule and I was really happy to see the Canadian Open sitting here (two weeks ahead of the Ryder Cup). I'm happy it was in this position."

Of his win, where he finished with a 65 for 266, one ahead of runner-up Bart Bryant, Furyk commented: "I think when you get yourself into contention, get under the heat, under the gun, you learn a lot about yourself and your swing and your faults. There's going to be a lot of pressure at the Ryder Cup and it is good to put yourself into contention, to get comfortable, and to do something well. I'll take the experience with me and it will help out at the Ryder Cup."

But he felt that his good recent form didn't compare to Woods, a potential playing partner at The K Club. "I definitely don't have any Tiger Woods records going. I've been in the top four six times in the last seven events, so I guess if my approach work were better I'd have more than one win. I think everyone goes through streaks and times where hopefully you get on a good run and you close out some tournaments and you get some wins. But it is a humbling game."

England's Justin Rose led going into the final round, but carded a 74 for 273 to finish in tied-14th.