Take a look at some answers to frequently asked questions about the Presidents Cup:
What’s the big difference between the Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup?
In the Ryder Cup, the United States plays against Europe. In the Presidents Cup, the U.S. plays against an “International” team, meaning all countries EXCEPT Europe. The Presidents Cup is held every two years, in non-Ryder Cup years, which 2022 happens to be.
So, the Americans have to play one of these cup events every year, while the rest of the world gets every other year off? Why don’t they just combine the two events?
Well, for one thing, they’re the properties of different entities. The PGA Tour runs the Presidents Cup, while the Ryder Cup is a PGA of America and R&A production. And each event makes a lot of money for its owners.
Ah yes. “Show me the money.” How much money is at stake?
Technically, none. Players do not receive money for participation in the Presidents Cup. Instead, the PGA Tour pledges to contribute to charities which are nominated by the players, captains and assistant captains from both teams.
When did this Presidents Cup start?
The first one was played in 1994. This is the 14th edition.
How does the series stand?
The U.S. leads, 11-1-1. The lone International victory came in 1998 in Australia. The two teams tied in 2003 in South Africa.
How are the teams chosen?
The teams are comprised of 12 players. The U.S. took the top six players from a list determined by FedExCup points earned between the 2019 Greenbrier event and the 2022 BMW Championship, with point value increasing each season. The International team also consists of six qualifiers and six captain’s picks. The team originally had eight qualifiers, but two (Cam Smith and Joaquin Niemann) left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf after qualification ended. That opened up two additional wildcard selections. The International qualifying process ran from the 2021 Open Championship to the 2022 BMW and was based off a system similar to the Official World Golf Ranking.
Who are the captains?
Davis Love III for the U.S. and Trevor Immelman for the Internationals.
Who are their players?
For the U.S., the automatic qualifiers are Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Justin Thomas and Tony Finau. The captain’s picks are Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Billy Horschel, Cameron Young and Kevin Kisner.
For the Internationals, the automatic qualifiers are Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Sungjae Im (South Korea), Tom Kim (South Korea), Corey Conners (Canada), Adam Scott (Australia) and Mito Pereira (Chile). K.H. Lee (South Korea), Sebastian Munoz (Colombia), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (South Africa), Taylor Pendrith (Canada), Cam Davis (Australia) and Si Woo Kim (South Korea) are the captain’s picks.
Is the format the same as the Ryder Cup?
It’s similar, but not an exact duplicate. The Presidents Cup takes place over four days (Thursday through Sunday), with three days of team matches – alternate shot (foursomes) and better ball (fourballs) – followed by Sunday singles. The Ryder Cup takes place over three days. Also, while the Ryder Cup has a total of 28 points at stake, with the Presidents Cup, it’s 30 (down from the former total of 34).
It will go like this: Day 1, five foursomes matches; Day 2, five fourball matches; Day 3, four fourballs and then four foursomes; Day 4, 12 singles.
Perhaps most significantly, if the competition is deadlocked at the end of singles play, it will be deemed a tie and the teams will share the Presidents Cup. If a Ryder Cup ends in a tie, the team that last won the cup gets to retain it.
Where is this Presidents Cup being played?
At Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. The venue regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship, but did not this year in anticipation of the Presidents Cup.
How can I watch the competition?
Great question. Click here for Golf Channel and NBC’s day-by-day coverage, including live action and “Live From.”
Who won the most recent Presidents Cup?
In 2019, the United States, with Tiger Woods as a player-captain, narrowly defeated the International team, 16-14, at Royal Melbourne in Australia. It marked the second time in three years that the Internationals came close to victory. However, it has not fared well on American soil, losing by an average of more than 5 1/2 points in seven prior cups.
You said 2019; that’s three years ago. Thought this was every other year?
Good observation. Because of the global pandemic, the 2020 Ryder Cup was postponed until 2021. That pushed the Presidents Cup back to even years.
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Spanish