Presidents Cup: The international competition is exciting, but are changes needed to stop Team USA's dominance? |Golf News

The United States extended its dominance at the Presidents Cup with a record-tying 10th victory over the Internationals, reigniting debate over whether changes need to be made to “save” the tournament.

Team USA earned seven-and-a-half points in the final day's singles matches for a convincing 18.5-11.5 victory at Royal Montreal Golf Club, their largest road victory in Presidents Cup history and also their biggest road win in Presidents Cup history. They have clinched the trophy for the 13th time in 15 biennial Presidents Cup tournaments.

The Internationals fought back from an opening loss to win all five of Friday's matches and equalized at the weekend, raising hopes of ending their 26-year wait for victory, but the Americans equalized . Leading the last two days.

“The Presidents Cup requires injections,” sky sports“We thought we had it after the 5-5 game two days later,” Wayne “Radar” Riley said after Sunday's game. We haven't gotten it yet and now it's going to be closely watched and it's going to be criticized. “

International team captain Mike Weir insisted that even though the score was so close, given the number of matches over the four-day event that were decided by one hole or less, the latest defeat means that since the tournament They have lost every tournament since the 2003 draw.

Former Grand Slam Champion Rich Beam Tell Sky Sports: “I can guarantee you that Internacional is tired of losing. It's going to be increasingly difficult for them to win until Internacional wins the next one.

“They have to figure out if it's a venue issue, if it's a points system issue, or if something else needs to change because Team USA is going to continue to produce young, great players.”

Despite this outcome, was the campaign a success?

Four of the top six players in the world are American, and all of Jim Furyk's lineup is inside the world's top 25, although their star-studded lineup was often tested as there were 20 games until the 17th hole or The outcome was decided much later.

The game still featured record-breaking drama, with back-to-back sweeps for the first time in history, a rare foursome success at international level and accusations of “poor sportsmanship” as tempers flared at times between the two sides. .

“The international team has a variety of games, but when you have as much depth as the U.S. team, it's a huge difference,” Beam admitted. “Anyone can beat anyone on any given day, but if you stretch it out to four different days, it's a different story.”

Speaking about the team's performance, Will said: “They [Internationals] Fight until the end. All you can ask of a captain is what I asked them to do and they responded and did it. I thought both teams played at a super high level.

“It was really high-level golf, a lot of birdies, a lot of big power swings. As a golf fan, it was really exciting to watch, and I'm a golf fan. It was just a really great golf game. ”

Can mixed events help international competition?

Seven of the top nine players in the world in the women's game are from countries represented in international competitions, including AIG Women's Open champion Ko Liya, while the last four women's Grand Slam champions are all from outside the United States and Europe.

While the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour already co-host mixed team events with the Grant Thornton Invitational, the possibility of including female players in the Presidents Cup has long been considered a potential way to bring the tournament closer.

“That [a mixed Presidents Cup] It's going to be a fascinating watch, especially when you think about the U.S. taking on the international team in the women's competition,” former world No. 1 Justin Rose told Sky Sports. “The international team will be very strong.

“There are obviously a lot of Korean players dominating the world rankings, and Lydia Ko from New Zealand has had the most amazing summer. That could really bolster the international team and maybe even give them a boost Come to advantage.”

Do you need to change the format?

Early versions had 32 points up for grabs, this was increased to 34 points in 2003, and the number of games was reduced to 30 in 2015, where it has remained the same since.

The Presidents Cup is played over four days instead of the Ryder Cup's three days, which has only 28 total points and more players miss the first four games.

“Why not change it back to three days and mimic the Ryder Cup?” Beam suggested. “That way, if you have some players who aren’t playing well, you can hide them.

“If these players want to play the week before, then you can also take an extra day off, like Adam Scott, Byung-hun Ahn and Si-woo Kim did at the BMW PGA Championship.”

Weir said in his post-match press conference that he was “not pushing for change”, while vice-captain Ernie Els added: “Our first prize is 28, so we have to work it out somewhere. I think 30 is fine. I don’t know how people feel about it, we have to play a little better and be sharper.”

Will LIV Golf players make a difference?

The seven international teams that narrowly lost 15.5-14.5 in the 2015 event and the five teams that suffered a crushing defeat in 2019 later joined the LIV Golf League, and since the Presidents Cup is an event hosted by the PGA Tour, they are not eligible to participate.

Veteran Louis Oosthuizen, major champion Cameron Smith and rising star Joaquin Niemann are all options who could add depth and experience to the international team, although Brooks ·Both Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau failed to make Team USA.

“Of these three teams [Team USA, Europe and the Internationals]”I would say the international team is the biggest hit to LIV Golf,” said Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard. “Obviously, LIV Golf destroyed a solid international team.

“Essentially, Trevor Immelman [2022 Internationals captain] Just weeks before Charlotte had to rebuild from scratch [previous Presidents Cup]. Team USA lost some players, but they are deeper so it's easier for them to fill the gaps.

“If there was a universe where two teams could come together, imagine what team the Internationals could field?! I think it could have an impact.”

Will time help the international team?

Only three International Team players have played in more than two Presidents Cup matches and 10 of the 12 players are under the age of 33, leaving former world number one Scott excited about the future.

“I feel like the shield has changed over the last two cups, four or five years, with the support of all the international players,” Scott said. “It's something they're keen to fight for.

“I feel like we had a great trip here. They all have great personalities. I think you've seen that in the intensity of competition this week with these guys, maybe there's some unexpected personalities on the golf course, Some of that is to be expected.

“Unfortunately, the result is the same. Looking deeper, I think there is always a positive to look at and hopefully this game will inspire us all to play hard and continue our careers over the next two years and win big events, “And come back better prepared and ready to win in Chicago.”

The U.S. hopes to regain the Ryder Cup next year against Europe at Bethpage Black on Sept. 26-28, and the next Presidents Cup will be played at Medina Country Club in 2026. Stream PGA Tour, DP World Tour and more with NOW.