Presidents Cup: Takeaways From This Years Tournament
The U.S. entered this year’s Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow as a huge favourite, and a hot start propelled the Americans to a 17.5-12.5 victory over the Internationals. A lot of excitement was generated with this year’s competition, with the U.S. team at home and a rowdy supporting crowd, the fans helped will their team to victory.
However, the Internationals should be applauded for their fight, and there was a moment Sunday when the Cup looked up for grabs. After a weekend filled with excellent play, here are the key takeaways.
On Paper Dominance of U.S. team
With all 12 players ranked in the top-30 in the world, the U.S. was absolutely stacked despite LIV defectors such as Bryson Dechambeau, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson. This bodes well for the U.S. team in next year’s Ryder Cup and they will be favourites of winning again. Match play putting is vital, and the U.S. team lead those statistics too, so the international players had a huge mountain to climb.
Tom Kim and Max Homa’s Arrival
Tom Kim was the star of the show for the internationals. Ranked No. 200 at the start of the season, his meteoric rise now sees him inside the top-20 in the world. This golfer is one to watch as he had the energy and spirit that not only inspired his team but could lead him to win majors and PGA tour events in the future. His passion lit up the tournament whether you support America or the International Team. Max Homa, the American rookie, matched Kim as a fan favourite, and they were matched together in singles, which offered thrills and spills.
The U.S. Home-Field Advantage
A partisan crowd whooping and cheering the home team as well as intimate knowledge of Quail Hollow all added to a significant advantage as well as a great atmosphere. Overall, the home crowd just about stayed on the right side of respect for the opposition, although the marshall who stood in Matsuyama’s line while driving on the 18th and deflected the ball into the crowd and behind a tree might need to be a bit more observant.
The Influence of LIV Defections on the Presidents Cup and Future Events
The LIV defections affected the International Team considerably, losing the likes of Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemman. Smith was ranked World No.2, and with Niemman were both under 30-years old leaving the International team bereft of their skills for potentially years to come. Also, with the financial benefits on offer on the LIV tour, up and coming non-American golfers will find big pay days hard to resist. None of this will help the International team be competitive in the years to come.
Another win for the U.S.
The Internationals came back fighting in the singles to try and win the presidents cup, however the Americans just proved too strong. As with the foursomes, the U.S. team’s putting overpowered the internationals. However, even losing 17 ½ to 12 ½ they should hold their heads up high as they were losing 8-2 after two days.
This now marks the fourth-consecutive team victory on home soil for the U.S. team, dating back to the 2013 Presidents Cup at Muirfield Village.
This event proves that LIV golf has a long way to go to compete with compelling team morale and excitement. Moreover, no matter how much money the LIV has it will never replicate the atmosphere and the history of the Ryder and Presidents Cup.
Jordan Spieth’s comment that some events are more important than money is a lesson that Greg Norman should take notice of if he wants his Saudi backed format to gain respect and traction.
Roll on the Ryder Cup.
