A – Z Of The Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup tees off at Quail Hollow this week and offers international golf fans the chance to enjoy a rare team golf experience. Here, we break down everything you need to know about the event.

What It Is?

The Cup is played between the US team and The International Team, who are players outside of the USA and Europe.

How May Matches?

Foursomes – It’s two players on a team hitting alternate shots.Fourballs – It’s two players on a team hitting their own ball and their score for the hole is the best of the two balls.

Since 2007, the USA lead the foursomes sessions by 30 points. Since 2005, the USA have won every foursomes session. The fourballs are even and the Internationals edge the Singles by 2 points. 

So we know where this week’s competitive edge will lie…

Who’s In Charge?

US – Davis Love III – The respected Statesman has been involved in numerous Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team rooms as a player and vice-captain.

International – Trevor Immelman – the much-loved South African takes over from Ernie Els. The former Master’s winner is a noted commentator in the US these days and does have a great reputation in the global game.

On Thursday, Love III will name his first foursomes pair, then Immelman will reply. In match 2, the South African will name his pair and then Love III will reply. It alternates this way all week.

Who Earned Their Way Onto The Team?

USA -Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Justin Thomas and Tony Finau Internationals – Adam Scott, Mito Pereira, Tom Kim, Corey Conners, Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im

Who Got Selected?

USA – Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Billy Horschel, Kevin Kisner and Cameron YoungInternationals – Cameron Davis, Si Woo Kim, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, K.H. Lee, Sebastian Munoz and Taylor Pendrith

Homa won last weekend on the PGA TOUR to make it 4 wins in his last 41 starts. 

Who Missed Out This Time Around?

LIV golf players were excluded which means Immelman couldn’t select Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, and Marc Leishman. And that’s not even the full list. 

Dustin Johnson is a notable absentee from the US team while Bryson DeChambeau was another player who shone in the last Ryder Cup.

What Do The Numbers Say?

Look away now if you are an International fan. They’ve never won the tournament. As listed above, don’t do well in foursomes and are severely weakened by the LIV absentees. 

The best International ranked player on Immelman’s team is Hideki Matsuyama at 17 in the world. He would be the 11th on the US team. The average world ranking of the home side is 11.6.

But maybe their inexperience will show, while Spieth is making his 4th appearance and Thomas his 3rd. No other US player has played in more than 1 before this week. In all, 14 players are on debut this week.

One oddsmaker had the US team starting with such a dominance that it would be comparable to a football team starting with a 16.5-point lead.

Who Could Make A Name For Themselves This Week?

Let’s see how Internationals rookie Taylor Pendrith goes for the visitors – he ranks 3rd on the Tour in strokes gained ball striking (off tee + approach) since July 1. 

For the US team, back Thomas to win every game and enhance his status in the US team room.

Anything To Note About The Course?

The Wells Fargo host venue is no stranger to many in the event this week. Matsuyama finished fifth in the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Justin Thomas (2017 PGA Championship) and Max Homa (2019 Wells Fargo Championship) both have wins at Quail Hollow.