Presidents Cup teams, complete, scoring summary https://www.presidentscup.com/leaderboard.html
Somewhere early in the week before this most compelling version of the Presidents Cup had begun, the International team's beloved captain Ernie Els was talking about the exhaustive preparation he, his assistants and his underdog team had put into their game plan, and he opined " we know on paper everybody considers the Americans as overwhelming favorites, but I have a game plan and we will stick to it and see how things go.
It's important for the event we play well because as you know with all the different countries we have, their could be 2 billion people around the world watching"
As you know by now the Americans rallied 8-4 in the Sunday singles to win for the 11th time which would normally be another death knell in the future of the Presidents Cup, 11-1-1 is hardly a compelling storyline, but of course this one was different with Tiger guaranteeing full US TV coverage, Patrick Reed making headlines for all the wrong reasons and the ever popular David vs Goliath theme and the magnificent Royal Melbourne GC.
It would have been a Hollywood ending if Ernie's gutsy lads had crossed the finish line first, but they will forever be proud of the race they ran.
Consider this, audiences from Australia, Canada, Korea, China, Japan, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and you'd have to think all of Europe and Scandinavia (Ryder Cup) were tuned in cheering for the International Team, and were heartbroken at the result, but full of pride for their efforts.
A note here. I hope they all did not have to endure the NBC broadcast we have here in Canada.
Paul Azinger was chosen to replace Johnny Miller in February, in part for his outspoken, edgy personality. He is of course proudly American, a former USA Ryder Cup captain and an unapologetic pom pom wearing homer for the USA. Dan Hicks shares the booth and the rest of the crew Roger Maltbie, Gary Koch, Notah Begay, Steve Sands all just follow suit. Only David Feherty who hails from Northern Ireland inserted a smidge of balance.
For the millions around the world watching, you'd think NBC would have brought in some International balance. Frank Nobilo, a Florida based Kiwi and former International Team player and assistant captain was reduced to hits for the Golf Channel.
Where was say, Greg Norman, Wayne Grady or Sam Torrance who would have taken no nonsense, Ian Baker Finch is with CBS, so unavailable.
Summary
For those who have followed me on air and in print for over 30 years, you'll know I have insisted unless the International team starts winning this event would die a slow death.
The final score was 16-14 USA, their 11th victory, but this time the Presidents Cup was a winner, so was golf around the world because of the International team's diversity, and the brilliant performance they produced.
Oh yes, and the USA remain the villains which every good mystery needs.
As Feherty said to Azinger during the broadcast, " C'mon Zinger, you know EVERYbody wants to beat the Americans"
Bryan Angus
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