Skilled golf – {and professional} workforce golf specifically – has more and more change into a numbers recreation.
So, as we anticipate this week’s Presidents Cup, which begins Thursday at Royal Montreal, it’s time to crunch among the most necessary numbers:
These cups aren’t received on paper, however…
The Individuals, winners of 9 straight – and 12 of 14 all-time – on this biennial occasion, are as soon as once more the favorites, and for good purpose. When it comes to common world rating, the U.S., to no shock, have a transparent higher hand: Individuals, 12.4; Internationals, 34.4. The U.S. additionally boast eight top-15 gamers, one shy of its file set two years in the past, in comparison with only one for the Internationals.
Nevertheless, the Internationals have half the variety of rookies (a 3rd of the American squad are first-timers), and issues are fairly degree when it comes to age, with the house aspect barely youthful at 31.3 years outdated to 31.6 years outdated. Keegan Bradley, at 38, is the youngest oldest U.S. participant ever.
After which there’s this stat, which means that the hole between the 2 squads is nearer than regular: The Individuals’ +20 benefit in common world rank is the smallest since 2017 and simply the sixth largest within the occasion’s historical past.
House-course ‘benefit’
The U.S. is undefeated at residence, outscoring the Worldwide workforce by a mixed 44 factors in eight wins. The away Presidents Cups have been a lot nearer for the Individuals, who’re 4-1-1 on the highway whereas holding only a three-point benefit over their opponents.
The final two Presidents Cups on international soil have resulted in slim U.S. wins – 16-14 in 2019, and 15.5-14.5 in 2015.
A couple of traits
One key to the Individuals’ dominance on this occasion? Quick begins, because the U.S. has received seven of the previous eight opening classes.
The one opening session claimed by the Internationals, nevertheless, got here within the format that they’ve had extra success in. Taking part in in Royal Melbourne in 2019, the Internationals received 4-1 in four-balls. In current U.S.-based editions – and all however 4 earlier editions – the Presidents Cup has begun with foursomes, which the U.S. has dominated, 89.5-52.5. However when the Internationals final hosted, they opted to begin with four-balls, the place they maintain the all-time benefit, 72-70. The house-away splits in four-balls are extra eye-popping, because the Internationals are 39.5-21.5 within the format at residence.
This week will once more kick off with four-balls on Thursday.
By the point the Presidents Cup will get to Saturday night, although, it’s normally already determined, no matter what number of complete factors can be found – the occasion change to 30 complete factors in 2015. The U.S. has led 10 occasions getting into singles and has by no means misplaced from that place. The Internationals are 1-1-1 when main after workforce play, with the one American comeback occurring in 2019, when the U.S. rallied from two factors all the way down to win by two at Royal Melbourne.
Potential record-breaker
Adam Scott can break a pair notable data this week at Royal Montreal.
For one, Scott enters his eleventh Presidents Cup tied with Ernie Els for many profession factors (21) in Worldwide workforce historical past. He can move Els this week, although Phil Mickelson’s all-time file of 32.5 factors is protected for now.
Additionally, Scott wants three match wins to move Els, who has the Worldwide file with 20. Tiger Woods’ 27 profession matches received is the all-time mark.
Scheffler struggles
For as dominant as Scottie Scheffler has been individually in recent times, he has not fared properly in workforce competitions as a professional. In two earlier Ryder Cups and one earlier Presidents Cup, Scheffler is a mixed 2-5-3, together with an 0-2-2 efficiency eventually yr’s Ryder Cup and 0-3-1 exhibiting on the 2022 Presidents Cup. At that Presidents Cup, Scheffler was the primary world No. 1 to not win a minimum of three factors since Tiger Woods went 5-0 in 2009.
Scheffler has notably struggled in foursomes, holding an 0-4 file (0-2 every of his previous two cups), and when paired with Burns, who’s 0-3-1 alongside his good pal.
Like Scheffler, Burns went winless in 2022, going 0-3-2. By comparability, two Worldwide gamers return this yr after winless 2022 Presidents Cup performances – Corey Conners (0-4) and Taylor Pendrith (0-4).
Final time at Royal Montreal
Again in 2007 at Royal Montreal, the U.S. took the Presidents Cup by 5 factors. Adam Scott is the one present participant to have performed that week, and he went 1-3-1. This yr’s captains Jim Furyk (3-2) and Mike Weir (3-1-1) each competed, with Weir taking down Tiger Woods in singles, 1 up.
The 2014 Canadian Open was additionally contested at Royal Montreal. Furyk completed runner-up, a shot again of winner Tim Clark. Weir tied for 66th whereas two of his present gamers, Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners, completed T-42 and MC, respectively.
