The Presidents Cup is not dead, dying, or in need of an overhaul, despite what you may see on your reels.
After a dominant win from Jim Furyk’s U.S. team, questions about the state of the Presidents Cup are inevitable, but the answers were written all over the faces of players at Royal Montreal this week.
It was in the exhausted desperation in Mackenzie Hughes’ eyes on Saturday after flubbing a potential match-winning chip shot on the 18th hole. Minutes later, it couldn’t be missed in the cold intensity of Patrick Cantlay as he delivered yet another winning putt for his country.
On Sunday, it was in Keegan Bradley’s smile when he hugged his wife after clinching the win.
Whether it was Tom Kim’s electricity, Sungjae Im’s dances or Scottie Scheffler’s roars, worries about the viability or legitimacy of the Presidents Cup should be put to rest.
Instead of focusing on what the Presidents Cup isn’t, these moments reminded us to focus on everything it is. Over four roller coaster days in Canada we saw an entire golf season’s worth of intensity, personality and entertainment. Of course, after a 18.5-11.5 American win there is sure to be another debate about what to do about the Presidents Cup.
“Of course I’m going to be thinking about things I would have done differently,” International captain Mike Weir said. “I think that’s human nature, when you don’t win, you’re going to look at yourself in the mirror and see what you could have done different, no doubt about it. I’ll have plenty of time to do that.”
There’s no avoiding the fact we live in an instant analysis world where opinions need to fit on a phone screen and be delivered quicker than a fidgety thumb can swipe.
The way this week was talked about, Thursday’s American sweep was the day that killed Presidents Cup, Friday’s International comeback was the day that saved it, and Sunday’s result killed it again. None of this is accurate, but it’s nothing new for men’s golf’s ‘other’ team match play contest.
With the Americans now holding a 13-1-1 Presidents Cup record, there’s no denying that an International victory would go a long way in improving the image of the event. It’s worth noting that over a 50-year span beginning in 1935, the Ryder Cup was even more one-sided than the Presidents Cup with the Americans losing just once in 21 events.
But the image of the Presidents Cup and the reality of the Presidents Cup are very different matters.
The reality is that players are 100% invested in the event, and for many of the players — especially the Internationals — Presidents Cup experiences rank near the top moments of their careers.
There is no better example than Weir, who with a Masters victory and eight PGA Tour wins, ranks his Presidents Cup trips as the best memories of his career, despite never being on the winning side.
The 54-year-old Canadian also credits the Presidents Cup for convincing him that he belongs among the world’s best, beating Phil Mickelson in singles in his first appearance in 2000 and famously beating Tiger Woods seven years later.
It’s easy to imagine Tom Kim similarily building on his experiences at this event and elevating himself into a major champion. And it was plain to see what the event means to a 44-year-old Adam Scott as he played every session this week.
The International team created a new shield and identity in 2019 under captain Ernie Els, and since then signs of a winning team culture appear to be growing with each edition. When, or if, that will ever translate into a victory is a question that is now at least another two years from being answered.
“There’s always a story where people come back,” Tom Kim said of the Internationals fate and American dominance at the Presidents Cup. “Winning doesn’t last forever.”