Already seen as the poor cousin to the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup needs a competitive tournament in Ohio this week or it faces irrelevance.
With nine contests between the USA and the Internationals in the books yielding just one win and a tie for the Internationals, the concept is taking a beating.
Since claiming a tie in the 2003 event the International side, made up non-European nations, hasn’t even been close, losing four in a row by three, five, five and four points.
The one-sided nature of the competition has Australia’s Adam Scott, who has played in the last five encounters, questioning its relevance.
“It’s vital, I think it’s crucial,” Scott said on the importance of victory.
“If the international team doesn’t win I think the Cup loses any credibility whatsoever because it’s essentially an exhibition, it’s not a competition.
“I’ve been in five and haven’t won one. I think it’s crucial we start winning or as I said, it looks like an exhibition and it has little relevance to me and that’s not good because it’s a great event.”
International captain Nick Price stopped short of calling it a must-win scenario like his top ranked player, instead saying a real contest is what the doctor orders.
“I think all of us who have been involved in the Presidents Cup, know how important this one is,” Price said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a must win. That’s a hard thing to put on anyone, but I think more important than anything else, this Presidents Cup needs to be very competitive, because in the past, the last four Presidents Cups, I honestly believe they have not been that competitive.
“This is, to all of us, a really big week.”
Price claimed there are multiple reasons for why the side hasn’t been able to beat the USA but poured cold water on the often-used excuse of the players not being as united as a team given their different backgrounds.
There are five players from South Africa, three Australians, a Zimbabwean, a Canadian, an Argentine and one from Japan this year.
He pointed to the bond of the Europeans in the Ryder Cup despite their differences.
“I don’t believe that for one minute, because I believe every single player on the International team, on every one I’ve ever played on, is competitive, and I don’t think pairing a South African with an Aussie or having, let’s say, for example, a Swede and a Spaniard, are more competitive playing the U.S.,” Price said.
“We all don’t like getting beaten.
“This has been an 18 month wait and it’s finally arrived, and we’re all very excited to be here. We are very motivated this week.
“They are just gung ho. They are ready to go.”
