Jim Furyk is convinced Ryder Cup captaincy will not affect his golf - but insists playing well enough to make the team is not important.
Furyk will lead the United States' attempts to retain the trophy in France next year having been named as captain by the PGA of America.
But the 46-year-old could also still make a 10th playing appearance in Paris, having refused to rule out the possibility of qualifying for his own team.
That raises the intriguing possibility of a first playing captain in the biennial event since Arnold Palmer in 1963, although world number 37 Furyk claims he has not given the matter much thought.
"I think I can be captain and also play the tour successfully but I'd say being captain right now is more important than playing on the Ryder Cup team," said Furyk, a loser on seven of his nine playing appearances.
"In terms of making the team, my first and foremost thoughts right now are on the captaincy and trying to do the best job I can.
"If I had a shot to finish in the top eight in points we can bridge that gap next year. Is it possible? I guess it is but it is not something I spend a lot of time thinking about. I don't want to say no but my main focus is on being a captain."
Furyk will pit his wits against Thomas Bjorn, who was named as Europe's captain last month, at Le Golf National.
One of his first actions as captain was to announce, in a role reversal from Hazeltine last year, that Davis Love will serve as one of his vice-captains.
He said: "Davis is going to be a very tough act to follow. He put a system in place and got the players behind it.
"He's a good friend, someone I have looked up to and admired through the years, someone every young professional could model themselves on. To have him by side is going to be priceless for me."
Fred Couples was also thought to be in contention for the role but Furyk was the preferred choice of the US Ryder Cup committee, which included Love as well at Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Furyk's involvement in the past 10 tournaments, plus the fact he is still competitive on the PGA Tour, were thought to be factors in his favour.
"I was hoping to get the nod and the Ryder Cup committee would ask me to do this job before I turned 50," Furyk said. "I wanted to be actively playing on the PGA Tour and know the younger players.
"It's no secret, it's been my favourite event my entire career. I just get chills thinking about all the events I've been able to participate in and now to sit here as the captain for 2018 is such an honour."
