Take a look at some answers to frequently asked questions about the Presidents Cup:
I thought the FedExCup marked the end of the PGA Tour season, but now I see there’s a “Presidents Cup” on this week’s schedule. What’s that all about?
The Presidents Cup is a team event, similar to the Ryder Cup.
What’s the difference?
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 2017 happens to be.
So, the Americans have to play one of these cup events every year, while the foreign players get 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 production. And each event makes a lot of money for its owner.
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 12th edition.
How does the series stand?
The U.S. leads, 9-1-1.
How are the teams chosen?
The teams are comprised of 12 players – 10 automatic qualifiers and two captain’s picks. The U.S. takes the top 10 players from a points list determined by FedExCup points earned between the 2015 BMW Championship and 2017 Dell Technologies Championship with the points doubled for the 2017 season. The International team consists of the top-10 international players (non-European) in the Official World Golf Ranking at the conclusion of the Dell Technologies Championship. Each side then adds two captain’s picks.
Who are the captains?
Steve Stricker for the U.S. and Nick Price for the Internationals.
Who are their players?
For the U.S., the automatic qualifiers are Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Daniel Berger, Kevin Chappell, Kevin Kisner, Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas. The captain’s picks are Phil Mickelson and Charley Hoffman.
For the Internationals, the automatic quaifiers are Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa; Hideki Matsuyama of Japan; Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Jason Day of Australia; Adam Hadwin of Canada; Si Woo Kim of South Korea and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela. Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and Anirban Lahiri of India 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 and better ball – 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).
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 Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.
Who won the most recent Presidents Cup?
The United States defeated the International team, 15 ½ to 14 ½, at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea, for its sixth consecutive victory. The competition came down to the final match between a pair of captain’s picks – Bill Haas (son of captain Jay Haas) for the U.S. and South Korea’s Sangmoon Bae, who was playing in his last competition before starting two years of mandatory military service for his country. Haas led, 1 up, through 17 holes, and won, 2 up, when Bae made a mess of the 18th and conceded.
Last question: When and where is this all on TV?
Good last question. It will be on Golf Channel from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. It will be on NBC from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday (all times Eastern).
Source: Internet
