Though the Presidents Cup is a mere baby compared to the Ryder Cup, which started in 1927, the biennial golf event between the United States and the rest of the world (excluding Europe) is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
A one-sided affair, with the U.S. winning 12 of the 14 competitions, the Presidents Cup also pales in comparison to the Ryder Cup when it comes to drama, having lacked the hostility that has enveloped many of the recent U.S.-Europe battles.
Still, it has had its memorable moments, and fans this year at Royal Montreal are surely pining for a result that would force a rewrite of this top-five list:
5. Melbourne, 1998
This first competition held outside the U.S. saw the Americans send a formidable squad to Australia with all of its golfers ranked among the top 30 in the world. To counter, the Internationals featured top-10 golfers Ernie Els, Nick Price and Vijay Singh as well as an Australian quartet of Greg Norman, Steve Elkington, Craig Parry and Stuart Appleby. Forcing the Americans far from home in December, when most of them had been idle for months, the Internationals romped to a 20.5-11.5 win. Japan’s Shigeki Maruyama led the charge with a 5-0-0 record, while U.S. heavyweights David Duval and Phil Mickelson went winless.
4. Montreal, 2007
This one was all but decided heading into singles play, with the Americans holding a seven-point lead. That was part of the reason why captain Gary Player selected home-country hero Mike Weir to face Tiger Woods, knowing that was the only way to ensure Sunday provided some theatre. Weir had struggled that season and needed a captain’s pick from Player just to make the squad. However, the left-hander emerged as the Internationals’ best performer that week, and after Woods clawed back from a 3-down deficit to lead 1-up through 16 holes, Weir won 17 and 18 to take down the world No. 1 in stunning fashion.
3. Melbourne, 2019
Playing captain Woods, who’d memorably won the Masters eight months earlier for his long-awaited 15th major title, sparked a U.S. comeback in Australia, leading off the singles session with a 3-and-2 victory over Abraham Ancer. A Presidents Cup rookie, Ancer had said he’d relish the chance to face the American skipper. Woods had benched himself for Saturday’s sessions after pairing with Justin Thomas for victories on Thursday and Friday, which raised questions about his health. Woods cited the need for rest. After easily defeating Ancer, Woods donned a radio and earpiece and watched his inspired teammates overcome a two-point deficit to win 16-14.
2. Incheon City, 2015
This event in South Korea came down to the final match on Sunday, featuring emerging South Korean star Sangmoon Bae and Bill Haas, son of U.S. captain Jay Haas. Haas led 1-up on the 18th tee deck, but both missed the final green with their approaches: Haas into a greenside bunker, Bae short of the elevated putting surface. Needing to put pressure on Haas, Bae chunked his pitch shot and crouched in humiliation in front of thousands of shocked spectators as the ball rolled back to his feet. Haas held on to secure another American victory.
1. George, South Africa, 2003
The teams were all square after 34 matches, prompting a playoff between golfers whose names had been written on a piece of paper and sealed in an envelope in case of a tie. To nobody’s surprise, American captain Jack Nicklaus revealed Woods’s name and counterpart Player proudly held up that of Els. Under fading daylight, Woods and Els went holed putt for holed putt over three extra frames before total darkness set in. After much discussion, the captains proposed a tie in a phone call with then PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who agreed.
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