Presidents Cup MVPs, critiquing captains and format modifications

Examine in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we talk about Presidents Cup MVPs, second-guessing for the captains, format modifications and extra.

The fifteenth Presidents Cup concluded on Sunday in Montreal identical to lots of the earlier editions: with the Individuals successful but once more. This time it was 18.5-11.5 to present the U.S. its tenth straight win over the Internationals. What was the distinction?

Jack Hirsh, assistant editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Let’s not idiot ourselves, this was a lopsided combat. The Individuals had 5 gamers within the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rating whereas the Internationals had simply Hideki Matsuyama. It goes the opposite manner too as Max Homa was the worst ranked American at twenty fifth, whereas Mackenzie Hughes is 62nd. Plus the Worldwide group is damage rather a lot tougher by LIV defectors with out Cam Smith, Joaco Niemann and Co., whereas the Individuals are simply deeper and may change Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau with different top-25 gamers. That is all to say the expertise disparity may be insurmountable over the course of 30 matches.

Sean Zak, senior author (@sean_zak): The distinction, if there was one, was that it felt contentious, which I feel is vital. After all the Individuals need to win, but it surely’s good for the occasion in the event that they wish to beat this Worldwide group. It’s good that Wyndham Clark and Ben An grew to become soft-enemies. It’s good that Si Woo Kim taunted the Individuals and that Tom Kim was operating his mouth a bit. Making a little bit of a rivalry, even when the end result is identical, makes for some endurance for this occasion. 

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): The Individuals had been simply the deeper and extra gifted group. They didn’t do something particular or want any heroics. To make use of a soccer cliche, they simply went on the market and ran their stuff. When you could have such a expertise benefit, that’s all you could do to come back out victorious. 

Who’s taking residence MVP honors for all sides, and whose efficiency was most disappointing?

Hirsh: For the American aspect, it’s laborious to argue in opposition to both Patrick Cantlay or Xander Schauffele, particularly after they performed collectively twice. I’ll give the nod to Schauffele as a result of his first level within the opening singles match was precisely by the e book. For many disappointing, regardless of a 3-2-0 file, I’ll go together with Scottie Scheffler. He simply didn’t appear to be the man who gained seven occasions this week and I had increased expectations for him, particularly dropping a 1 Up lead on the again 9.

For the Internationals, as a lot as I feel Si Woo Kim actually rose to the event this week, it was Tom Kim’s vitality that introduced the Internationals again in it Friday regardless of not even taking part in. He had the moxie all day Saturday and Sunday, too, even beginning a number of controversies! Most disappointing was Min Woo Lee for the easy cause of him taking part in simply twice all week.

Zak: Xander Schauffele was the highest man for the crimson, white and blue. Furyk would have by no means thought-about sitting him, and will pair him with anybody. He pulled Tony Finau — who was one of many worst performers of the week, probably most disappointing! — alongside for a pair wins after which waxed Jason Day within the opening Singles match. 

As for the INTs, it was Si Woo Kim. Finest performer analytically, among the best putters all week, the pot-stirring, and so forth. He confirmed out identical to he did at Quail Hole. I sit up for watching him shush the group in Chicago in two years. 

Melton: I’ll give some like to Staff USA’s different top-scorer in Collin Morikawa who joined X and Cantlay with 4 factors. He’s now 10-5-1 in group occasions for the Individuals. Brian Harman was an apparent disappointment for the Individuals as he was the lone man and not using a level.

For the Internationals, Hideki Matsuyama was spectacular if just for taking down Scottie Scheffler in Sunday singles. As for greatest disappointment, Sungjae Im solely scoring one level in 5 matches is a tricky look.

Any second-guessing for captains Furyk or Weir? What letter grade would you assign them for his or her performances this week and why?

Hirsh: I’ll begin with the low hanging fruit of Weir sending out the very same gamers Saturday afternoon as he did Saturday morning, one thing no Presidents Cup captain had ever accomplished. It completely backfired when, towards the tip of the 36-hole day, the Internationals let a pair shut matches go the opposite manner, clearly feeling the fatigue. He will get a D- from me.

Furyk will get a stable B+ as he efficiently rode his sizzling gamers, permitting them to hold struggling gamers like Tony Finau and conceal others like Brian Harman and Max Homa.

Zak: I wish to name these occasions the Hindsight Olympics as a result of you may all the time disagree with a transfer that finally led to a loss. However that 36-hole Saturday name by Weir is as puzzling as they arrive. If it labored, we’d have liked it. But it surely didn’t, so it’s a bit gorgeous. C-minus for Weir and a B-plus for Furyk.

Melton: SZ nailed it. Weir’s decision-making was unusual on the time, and appears even worse after the very fact. I’ll give Furyk a passing grade, however he didn’t must push many buttons to come back away with a victory.

Keegan Bradley earned the deciding level to clinch the win for the Individuals, beating Si Woo Kim 1 up. This was his first group occasion (courting again to the 2014 Ryder Cup) in a decade, and his subsequent one is even greater but when he captains the U.S. Ryder Cup group at Bethpage Black in 2025. How vital do you suppose his expertise this previous week in Montreal will probably be to his captaincy a yr from now: a bit, rather a lot, or considerably in-between?

Hirsh: It was nearly poetic for Keegan to get the successful level when on the 2014 Ryder Cup, he misplaced the clinching level. It’s been a whirlwind of a yr for him after he was left off the Ryder Cup group final yr after which will get named captain for the following one. I feel, if nothing else, his confidence could also be at an all-time excessive, a minimum of on the stage when he gained the PGA again in 2011. Going 2-1-0 this week makes me marvel what his odds actually are of being a playing-captain at Bethpage.

Zak: It’ll undoubtedly be vital for his captaincy, however I’m not satisfied it’ll imply nice issues. I feel Keegan starring a bit is barely going to embolden the requires him to be a playing-captain subsequent fall, which is strictly what Staff Europe desires. It’s a very chaotic occasion and that’ll solely create extra chaos within the run-up. Luke Donald needed to be grinning all week seeing this end result manifest. 

Melton: It was actually a neat scene seeing Keegan clinch for the Individuals, however I’m unsure this week’s expertise will imply a lot for Bethpage. The Ryder Cup is an entire totally different ball recreation. 

The U.S. has now gained 13 of the 15 Presidents Cups, and the Internationals haven’t gained in over twenty years. Does the Presidents Cup want fixing? And if that’s the case, how would you alter it?

Hirsh: It’s robust to say “no” to that query, however it might additionally stink if there was no U.S. vs. The World match anymore. I feel it’s clear this occasion wants to maneuver to a co-ed mannequin. There shouldn’t be any disgrace in it given how a lot the Ryder Cup was elevated by opening as much as continental Europe.

Zak: It might be improbable to see the Presidents Cup transfer to a co-ed mannequin. It makes tons of sense. However the PGA Tour doesn’t all the time transfer within the path of apparent, widespread sense. They’re the house owners of this entity, so it might require maybe essentially the most progressive transfer the Tour has made in a long time. I don’t see it taking place. That mentioned, ehhh, I feel the occasion is generally high-quality. The Internationals will win quickly. 

Melton: It undoubtedly wants altering. It’s no enjoyable watching a sporting occasion the place the end result is all however sure earlier than it even begins. The co-ed thought is a well-liked one, but it surely looks like wishful considering to hope for it to truly occur. Maybe the Internationals ought to begin the week with a three-point headstart? It wouldn’t be the primary time the PGA Tour staged a handicapped occasion.

Is there one thing the Presidents Cup does properly that the Ryder Cup doesn’t (or vice versa) that gamers, captains or organizers might be taught from?

Hirsh: Till this week, it appeared there was no controversy, no dangerous blood between the U.S. and Worldwide groups. Keep in mind Tom Kim partying with the U.S. group two years in the past at Quail Hole? I don’t suppose that can occur once more this yr. We had been all glued to the Ryder Cup final yr due to “Hat Gate,” after which this yr, individuals grew to become extra intrigued while you increase questions of sportsmanship. So, for organizers, I’m unsure there’s a lot to do, because it actually comes all the way down to gamers going at one another and actually caring about successful in any respect prices.

Zak: I’m unsure Royal Montreal is the perfect instance of this, however the Presidents Cup has a minimum of visited/or deliberate to go to a number of extra of the perfect programs. European Ryder Cups are extra centered on parking, house, and world cities than invigorating golf programs. It’s not an enormous deal, however it’s some deal that the Prez Cup has been to Royal Melbourne a number of occasions and can go to Kingston Heath and Medinah for its subsequent two iterations. 

Melton: Unsure Medinah is sort of in the identical tier as Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath, however I perceive (and agree with) your level, Sean.